The former captain-coach hasn't played since breaking his thumb in round five but isn't confident it has fully recovered in time for the qualifying final clash at Twickenham on Sunday.

"There is improvement in it when I trained on Tuesday night but I couldn't complete the full session," Smart said.

"As much as I would like to be in, and I would have liked to be in last weekend, I was probably more hopeful than confident."

However the 30-year-old remains confident he hasn't played his last game this season.

"I'm confident it is not going to be the end of my season and it is more of a when than an if," Smart said.

"That is positive but I just have to be careful I get the timing right as I don't want to spend all this time out and with the inconvenience that comes with the injury and come back too soon and do further damage."

After the two teams played out a draw in the opening round of the season, Gundagai have not been beaten by Tumut at Twickenham in a decade.

However the 20-18 win at Anzac Park last week was the premiers' first win at the ground in the same time frame.

While Gundagai head into the rematch with the same line up Tumut's is far from settled.

Co-coach Dean Bristow remains unsure of his line up with Adam Pearce, Jacob Toppin and Jacob Sturt all missing last week through injury.

He rated Pearce the most likely of the trio to come back into the side.

"I'd probably say Jacob no, Adam yes and Toppo I'm not so sure," Bristow said.

"I would be shocked if Adam doesn't, we are going to see how Toppo goes at training (on Friday night) while Jacob is a no.

"If it was the grand final this week he would play but with the situation of it all - not being do or die - and having a little bit of depth there I'd say he is a no."

With both teams one win away from another grand final appearance, Bristow believes playing at home is a great opportunity for the side.

Especially with the chance to secure a much-needed week off before the finals.

"It sets up well for us after winning last week and finishing on top," Bristow said.

"We've got home grand advantage for the first spot in the grand final and it has been a long time since the club was in this position so hopefully we can capitalise on it.

James Luff missed a chance to level things late last week before Gundagai had one final shot.

Bristow is very wary of how fired up Gundagai will be to hit back and return to the grand final after losing to their closest rivals in last year's preliminary final.

"It gives them that little bit of motivation after losing last week and there has been nothing between us over the last few years," he said.

"They have all been hard-fought contests and I'm sure as hell Sunday won't be any different."

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