THE mind games between Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst will continue right up until the first bounce of Saturday’s BFNL grand final.
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Both teams named extended squads last night, with the final decision on who’s in and who’s not to be made until Saturday.
Storm coach Darryl Wilson added key defender Jayden Donaldson and classy forward Tom Bartholomew to his squad, but hasn’t finalised his 22.
Sean Johns, Jake Dickens, Daniel Geary and Nathan Moffat are on the extended bench with Bartholomew and Donaldson.
Bartholomew (knee) and Donaldson (hamstring) moved freely in the Storm’s 60 minute session.
Donaldson appears certain to play, while Wilson has to decide if Bartholomew is worth risking on the back of only four senior appearances this season.
If he does play on Saturday it will be his first game since July 19.
Sandhurst could have up to five inclusions for the grand final.
The Dragons added captain Blair Holmes, forward Joel Wharton and young trio Liam Ireland, James Coghlan and Lachlan Tardrew to the side which won the preliminary final against Gisborne.
Jake Twycross and Tom Broadbent were left out of the squad.
Ruckman Tim Martin was off crutches on Thursday night, but his ankle remains in a moon boot.
The Michelsen Medal winner chatted to coach Brett Fitzpatrick at length in the middle of the QEO.
Star midfielder Nick Stagg (shoulder) was restricted to light jogging and walking.
Martin and Stagg remain in doubt for the final, but the Dragons will give them as long as possible to prove their fitness.
Holmes and Joel Wharton both trained impressively after recovering from hamstring injuries.
Fitzpatrick put the Dragons through a sharp skills session in front of their loyal fans.