LAKE Albert coach Mitch Tinnock reckons you'd have to "decapitate" Jamie Rankin to get him off the pitch.
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After a three-week layoff with a sprained ankle, Rankin found enough in the tank to force a penalty late in extra time to help secure a 2-1 win over Henwood Park in last week's qualifying final.
Rankin, winner of the Sharks' last three best-and-fairests, said the near two hour hit-out was exactly what he needed before Sunday's clash against Hanwood, with the winner to advance to the grand final.
"I was pretty tired to be honest, that was about the last effort I had in me I reckon not playing for a few weeks," Rankin said.
"I sprained it at Cootamundra (in round 16), I went up for a corner and landed on someone's foot.
"I can play fine without an issue, I just have to manage it through the week.
"That match fitness was good, to get that long run in the legs was just what I needed. (Teammate) Cam Mavor was in the same boat missing the last three weeks and James Trevaskis missed a couple as well."
Tinnock said Rankin isn't fully fit but has the mental strength to push through the finals series.
"He's certainly not 100 per cent but he's probably the toughest bugger in the whole league, it's unbelievable," he said.
"He never misses a game unless he's decapitated or something, you basically have to kill him to get him off the pitch.
"He'll play with a broken leg if he has to and whatever pain he has to deal with, he'll deal with."
Tinnock said the Sharks are feeling less pressure entering this finals series after they went unbeaten last year, after losing the 2017 grand final.
"It's a lot nicer feeling to be honest, we're a lot more relaxed," he said.
"We got our big win last week and now we have a free crack at making the grand final."
Lake Albert and Hanwood's second grade teams will also battle for a reserve grade grand final spot this weekend.
Tinnock said the rivalry between the two clubs is already well established despite the Griffith club only returning to the Pascoe Cup this year.
"It makes it even more spicy, the double header with both teams in firsts and reserve grade," he said.
"It's makes for a massive club rivalry day, it's going to be pretty exciting.
"It's definitely turning into a good little rivalry, we've had a couple of cracking matches so far (two 2-all draws).
"I'll pick the same people I normally do (for the first grade bench) but they'll get to play ressies as well, I won't be resting them because they're pretty keen to win on Sunday too."
The loser will take on the winner of the elimination final between Henwood Park and Leeton United in next week's preliminary final.
PASCOE CUP (Both games 3pm)
Major semi: Hanwood v Lake Albert at Rawlings Park no.1
Elimination semi: Henwood Park v Leeton at Rawlings Park no.4
LEONARD CUP (Both games 11am)
Major semi: Hanwood v Tolland at Rawlings Park no.1
Elimination final: Junee v Henwood Park at Rawlings Park no.4
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