Panmure defender Tim McPherson has had hamstring troubles for the past two seasons.
PANMURE defender Tim McPherson is confident he will overcome a hamstring injury and line up in Saturday’s Warrnambool and District league grand final against Kolora-Noorat.
McPherson, 19, strained his right hamstring against the Power in the second semi-final and missed the Bulldogs’ nail-biting two-point preliminary final win against Dennington.
It felt like history repeating for McPherson, who has had hamstring troubles for the past two seasons.
“It is pretty frustrating because I did it last year when I was playing at Warrnambool and missed the grand final,” he said.
“It felt like deja vu. I was praying it was OK. It wasn’t too bad.”
McPherson, who is based in Ballarat, said he would undergo a fitness test later in the week in a bid to reclaim his spot in the Bulldogs’ line-up.
“I am feeling pretty good. I think I am a pretty good chance to play,” he said yesterday.
“I will go for a jog today and tomorrow, nothing too serious.
“I will go to Warrnambool on Thursday and see someone about it and hopefully it will be right.”
Panmure coach Simon O’Keefe said McPherson was a key cog in the Bulldogs’ defensive 50.
O’Keefe said if McPherson played, he would line up on the Power’s Sam Moloney.
“It’ll be huge (if McPherson plays),” O’Keefe said.
“He went down early against them (the Power) last time and we were a key defender short so we had to fill the void.
“At the end of the day, he won’t play unless he’s 100 per cent and Tim knows that.”
Panmure had a pool recovery session and team dinner on Monday evening and trained last night.
“The main thing is to enjoy the week,” O’Keefe said.
O’Keefe said the Bulldogs’ grand final preparation was “excellent”.
“It was a hard-fought game against Dennington.
“I rate them as a very good side,” he said.
“We get to back up on the Reid Oval and that’s an advantage for us.”
McPherson said it was hard watching his teammates from the sidelines on Saturday, particularly given the close finish.
“It was pretty nerve-racking but they did a good job,” he said.
Bulldog David O’Sullivan is also a chance to return, while star onballer Jye Bidmade is almost certain to play after suffering a corkie on Saturday.