Northern Jets forward Stephen Coate has had the worst confirmed on his knee injury, with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament requiring a reconstruction.
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It rules the dangerous Coate out of games against East Wagga-Kooringal and Coleambally and then finals, and left coach Josh Avis shattered.
"I was hoping it was something else that, maybe even if we lost him for this year, we'd still have the prospect of having him for next year, but now he's done an ACL and has to have surgery...." Avis said, adding that Coate was due for a break last week until they lost Mitch Haddrill and Chris Bell..
"His body has been a bit sore and we were going to give him the week off but when Belly went down as well and Max Harper was unable to play, I had to ring him and ask him to play."
As well as being disappointed for his player, Avis acknowledged it's a significant blow for his side, on top of Hamish Gaynor's shoulder injury.
"He's given us a bit of X-factor around goal, we can turn to him and he pops up at crucial moments," Avis said.
"We lose that little bit of experience and that little bit of class. It's a big hole to fill but it gives a young bloke a chance, guys who have been watching and learning from him in the forward line can see if they can step up and put their stamp on the position."
The Jets hope Haddrill and Bell come up for Saturday against the Hawks but they won't be rushed into a game that Avis said will be treated as a home-and-away game, and not hyped as an early final.
"Last week was a hiccup, losing to Temora, and we want to see a response," Avis said.
"We're going to be judged more harshly this week and it's about how we respond. We want to go out and put in a good performance off the back of an upset loss. That's the aim more than the result."
Two-time league medallist Nick Hull is "unlikely" to return from a back injury for Saturday's game at Ariah Park but had some good news for EWK supporters.
The Hawks big man hasn't been seen for six weeks. He was due to return for the top of the table clash with Marrar two weeks ago but was a late withdrawal.
Despite reports of a knee injury at the time, Hull said it was actually a new version of an old worry.
"It was my back. I've had scans and it seems alright so I'm just letting it heal up at the moment," Hull said.
"I was meant to be playing the Marrar game but I literally woke up and couldn't move.
"I've had a few problems with my back before so I needed to get it all checked out. I was in all sorts that weekend but it's starting to come good now.
"I'll definitely be back for finals anyway.
"I'd be unlikely this week but 50-50 for next week I reckon."
The Hawks play Charles Sturt University in the final round. They're almost certain to finish second and will likely face North Wagga or The Rock-Yerong Creek (who play each other this week) in the qualifying final.
Hull knows his match fitness won't be there and, now based in Young and with work his major priority, he hopes to get to his first training session this year in the first week of finals.
He'd originally planned to give the season a miss but found himself missing the game and was happy to return as a 'week-to-week proposition' for the Hawks.
Between work commitments and injury, he's played six games - all in May and June - but will be a huge boost for finals.
The Hawks have also been without forward Jarrad Boumann for most of the year. He's been restricted to five games, and just one of those in the last 12 weeks due to a hamstring injury.
Hull was impressed with the way the Hawks beat Barellan last Saturday and said he can't wait for a crack at finals in a team featuring a new generation of talent, including Ryan Bourne, Jeremy Piercy and the reliable Harry Fitzsimmons.
"To be honest I'm probably more excited for this year's finals than any others," Hull said.
"I feel those young boys are super pumped and I've been getting messages from them asking when I'll be back. I want to get back out there to do my bit. And to play again with 'Noxi' (Brenton Roberts) and Benno (Absolum)."
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