Lions set to tackle elimination final without McGlade,Lions set to tackle elimination final without McGlade

Royals coach James McRae has declared star midfielder Michael McGlade will not play in their blockbuster first semifinal clash with fierce rivals Railways at Tigerland on Sunday as he battles to overcome a hamstring injury.

McGlade injured his hamstring in the Lions’ round 14 loss to North Albany and has been in a race against time to be fit for the first week of finals in the Great Southern Football League.

The midfield battle between the Lions and the Tigers, who have been co-tenants at Tigerland this season, looms as a pivotal part of Sunday’s contest and McRae said they were not going to risk McGlade in the do-or-die final.

“McGlade is no chance,” McRae said. “He has a severe hammy and he won’t play.

“He can start running next week.”

The Lions, who have lost their past three games, will head into the contest having beaten the Tigers twice in their three encounters this season and are likely to make at least one change to the side that lost to Mt Barker by 52 points, with ruckman Nathan Powell expected to return against the Tigers.

Powell was dropped to the reserves last week and responded well to be one of their best contributors and, after a strong showing against the Tigers in their last game, he is likely to be recalled.

McRae said full-forward Glynn Verbruggen will definitely play despite finishing last week’s game with ice on his troublesome knee while youngster Broady Linthorne, who was unavailable against the Bulls, is also in consideration.

“We’ll select a side depending on the weather and also look at match-ups,” McRae said.

“We will go in with our strongest side apart from McGlade.

“We go in with a lot of confidence; we have played the best two sides in the last two weeks and played some good footy against them.” McRae was however cautious of the dangerous Tigers midfield which played a big part in their round 13 loss.

“Railways are playing their best footy,” he said.

“They have got one of the best midfields in the competition with five or six elite players.

“And if they win the contested footy they will give their forwards a lot of opportunity so we have to up the ante in there.”

The Tigers will regain captain Bodhi Stubber and tough midfielder Beau Ewen but coach Wayne Stubber was unsure on who would make way for the pair’s return to the side. “They will both come back in and we are yet to make our mind up on who goes out,” Stubber said.

“With those two we are pretty close to full strength.

“They have got two good key forwards so we need to do a job on them and obviously their midfield is pretty strong.

“But we have to back our own game in, we’ve played good footy for six weeks so we have to get our hands on the ball, apply plenty of pressure and convert on the scoreboard.”

Stubber said no doubt the intensity will lift being a final and he expected another physical match between the two rivals.