GOLDEN Square coach Mark Lloyd insists star Simon Rosa will play in Saturday night’s BFNL second semi-final against Gisborne at the QEO.
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Rosa suffered a groin injury in the dying seconds of last Sunday’s qualifying final win over Sandhurst and was expected to struggle to be fit for the game with Gisborne.
However, Lloyd put paid to the speculation yesterday.
“Simon had a scan today and it’s come back all clear, which is great news,’’ Lloyd said yesterday.
“We were a bit worried, but the scan is good and Simon said he’s feeling a lot better.
“He’ll be right to play on Saturday night.”
Rosa’s concern comes on the back of injuries to midfielders Lloyd (hamstring), Jack Geary (finger) and Luke Hammond (foot) and veteran defender Chris Malone (hamstring).
“If I get through training this week I’ll be right to play,” said Lloyd, who hasn’t played since July.
“Luke Hammond is a similar story. He’ll need to pass a fitness test before the game to play.
“Chris Malone certainly won’t play. This is the first hamstring injury he’s ever had, so we’re not sure yet how serious it is.
“Jack Geary has had the cast taken off his finger and his playing future rests with his doctor.
“He’s had a brace made up for the finger, but there’s also some pain management issues he’ll need to work through.
“At this stage we’ll wait and see with Jack.”
Gisborne handed Golden Square a 61-point belting in round eight, before they played out a thrilling draw at MyJet Oval in round 17.
Gisborne has its own injury worries, with key forward David Antonowicz and midfielder Clay Illman having to prove their fitness at training this week.
“There’s just some niggling injuries there, so we’ll see how they go at training,” Gisborne coach Luke Saunders said.