South Warrnambool captain Danny Finn has declared himself a certain starter in next week's Hampden Football Netball League grand final despite limited game time in the lead-up to the season decider.
Finn has only played two matches in almost two months -the Roosters' round 18 clash against Camperdown and the qualifying final against Terang Mortlake.
It was South's previous encounter with the Bloods in round 12 which has kept the skipper on the sidelines after he was struck in the back and suffered two fractured vertebrae and bruised kidneys.
It led to him missing last weekend's second semi-final against Warrnambool at Port Fairy with a hamstring injury.
"It stemmed from my lower back," he said.
"Just after the first final at Mortlake against Terang, I pulled up a bit sore.
"I thought it was just natural soreness but I decided to rest it just as a precautionary thing."
Finn was not fazed he has barely played in the latter part of the season.
"My fitness is fine, I've slowly built it up," he said.
"I've done all the rehab that I could and it feels fine.
"I'm 100 per cent."
His extensive rehabilitation includes seeing a physiotherapist, chiropractor and osteopath.
His family tree has been useful as sister Haylee is an osteopath and pilates instructor.
"She's been getting me to do a couple of funny looking things in the lounge room," he laughed.
The former Roosters co-coach said when it came to his injury, last week's result against the Blues was irrelevant.
"It didn't matter because I would've played this weekend if we had to," he said.
"But I guess it does benefit me to have another weekend off."
Finn said it was always tough to watch from the sidelines but the task was made easier last Saturday because of South's performance, which saw it run out a 43-point victor over its arch-rival.
"In the second quarter, to use the breeze in those conditions like we did was fantastic," he said.
He recognised that selecting South's side for the grand final would be difficult.
"There would be 10 players in the reserves and under 18s this year who are good enough but they've had minimal opportunities just because of our depth," he said.
"It's been great to see the way that a few of the younger players have stepped up."
Like Tuesday, the Roosters will use Mack Oval for training tonight while they also plan to train on Saturday.
The group will support the reserves on Saturday afternoon as the team aims to join the club's under 18 and senior football sides as grand finalists.
Finn was part of South's senior premiership in 2006 - the year the Roosters also claimed the two other football flags.
In netball, the club's undefeated 17 and under and 13 and under sides are through to this year's grand final while all the other teams - except the seniors - are playing off for a berth on Saturday.
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