On his return last week, Whyte was a shining light in the Bombers' loss to East Wagga-Kooringal but will now miss the do-or-die first semi-final against the Kangaroos at Maher Oval.

"He injured himself at training (on Thursday night). He twinged his quad, so it's not ideal. He's had a bugger of a year with injuries," Lenon said.

"He's a good young player. He's a two-time premiership player and a good backman. But you've got to back your depth in. There's no use talking about players that are out because they can't help you on Sunday."

Lenon said he's unsure of the likely recovery for Whyte, if they get through Sunday.

The Bombers will start with Jeremy Graetz and Harry Reynolds in the key defensive roles against Matt Harpley and Jacob Turner, with utility Nick Cooper to start at centre-half-forward.

"We play a team defence, that's how we've played it all year," Lenon said.

"You've got to apply pressure up forward, your mids have got to apply pressure and you take some of the pressure off your back six."

Lenon is confident the Bombers, who suffered just their third loss of the season can learn the lessons of last week.

"Obviously centre clearances, that's where it started last weekend. And we probably didn't tackle quite as good as we have, and apply that high pressure that we can," Lenon said.

On that score, Truman Carroll's experience could be crucial when he returns on a back flank after missing last week with the 'flu.

"He's a big in, with his leadership and hardness at the ball and tackling pressure - he leads the way in that," Lenon said.

Back-to-back premiers, the Bombers were also minor premiers the last two years. In three seasons, they've lost just seven games under Lenon. Their only previous sudden-death final was the 2017 preliminary final, which they won.

Not since Rivcoll in 2001 have the premiers emerged from the first semi-final. And since the Farrer League returned to a top five in 2010, no team has gone on from the Sunday semi to make the grand final.

Lenon said 'that stats don't lie' but said grand final qualification isn't their immediate concern. That's about making the most of the second chance that comes with a top three finish.

"It certainly makes it harder to come from an elimination final or a first semi (compared to being minor premiers) but that's irrelevant at the moment," he said.

"All our focus is on Sunday. The winner goes into the preliminary final and gets another week and the loser goes to cricket practice."

Meanwhile, Marrar stalwart Ben Langtry will play his 250th club game for the Bombers in the reserve grade semi-final on Sunday, when the club's twos look to keep their season alive against a potent and dangerous The Rock-Yerong Creek outfit.

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