Sam Dwyer hopes to make Port Melbourne's VFL grand final side despite recent leg soreness.
PORT Melbourne midfielder Sam Dwyer believes he will win a race against time and be fit for the VFL grand final on Sunday.
The South Warrnambool product was a late withdrawal with leg soreness on Saturday and missed the Boroughs’ preliminary final win against Williamstown.
The VFL team of the year member missed the final five games of the home-and-away season with a broken leg.
He returned for the Boroughs’ qualifying final win against Geelong a fortnight ago.
Dwyer, 26, said he would undergo fitness tests ahead of the grand final against Geelong at Docklands on Sunday.
“I’m a chance. I won’t know until later in the week, possibly not until just before the game,” he said.
“The leg was a bit sore at the weekend.
“It wouldn’t have been the best option to play, it might have meant I struggled to play this week.
“It’s feeling better now and I am confident I will play.”
Dwyer withdrew from the side half an hour before the game.
“It was a mutual decision. I explained how it was feeling,” he said.
“I didn’t want to go out there and not be 100 per cent and let the boys down.
“I thought it was the correct decision.
“Ultimately it comes down to what Ayresy (coach Gary Ayres) wants and he backed my decision.”
Dwyer played in Port Melbourne’s 2011 premiership.
He said he would be devastated to miss the chance to go back-to-back.
“It’s what you play footy for — it’s the one week you want to be playing,” he said.
“I’ll definitely be shattered if I’m not well enough to play this week but I am confident.”
Port Melbourne recorded a 34-point win against Williamstown in its preliminary final, while Geelong limped home against a fast-finishing Werribee by five points.
The Cats were 29 points up at three-quarter-time, but the Tigers kicked the final four goals of the match.
Dwyer said the Cats had a lot of AFL experience in their side.
“There is a lot of pace in that line-up and they have some talented kids,” he said. “The future looks good down at Geelong.”
Warrnambool’s Simon Hogan, Koroit’s Dominic Gleeson and Colac’s Jonathan Simpkin play for Geelong.