MANNING Ratz chances of winning the club's first piece of silverware in the Lower North Coast Rugby Union competition in Saturday's grand final against Forster-Tuncurry at Tuncurry received a healthy boost when centres Izak Solomon and Wayne Paulson were passed fit at training this week.
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Solomon has been troubled by an ankle injury for the past few weeks and was hobbling in the final last week while Paulson damaged his hamstring.
"They both trained well this week and they'll be right,'' a relieved coach Danial Stone said yesterday.
"It would have been hard to replace two centres.''
Fullback Ben Northam was also in some doubt but he's also ready to play.
The Ratz lost to Forster-Tuncurry by two points in the major semi a fortnight ago. They always looked in command in the final against Wallamba but weren't totally convincing when winning 30-17. However, Stone is confident his side is primed for the last 80 minutes of the season.
And that's what he is asking for - 80 minutes of football. He stressed that lapses at crucial times have been a problem for the Ratz all campaign.
Forster has won all four games against the Ratz this season. While the second match was a landslide victory the Ratz had opportunities to seal the other three.
The Ratz and Dolphins met in last year's grand final, won by the Dolphins. This was Manning's first appearance in a Lower North Coast decider since the competition was formed in 2008. By contrast the Dolphins have been in every match bar the 2012 clash.
Stone said there are 10 survivors from last year in tomorrow's team.
"We probably lack a bit of rugby experience when compared to last season,'' Stone said.
"But I think there's more natural ability in this side.''
Stone has yet to make a decision on where Mid North Coast representative Mitch Carter will play. He had his first full game in months last week in the final after finally recovering from a shoulder injury.
"I was only going to play him 15 to 20 minutes but he ended up playing 80. He wasn't too happy about it but it won't do him any harm,'' Stone said.
"He'll be playing at either eight or nine.''
Halfback Mikah Gibson missed the final because of injury but he's also expected to be fit.
Stone said stopping Forster's backrow led by No 8 Buka Naqito will be imperative. The Ratz will also wary of conceding too many penalties in range for the radar-like Forster goal kicker Lee Crozier.
It will also be a big occasion for teenage forwards Nick Mylonas and Lachie McCormick who are both in their first year of senior football with the Ratz. Mylonas will play flanker with McCormick up front. In contrast fullback Ben Northam was a premiership winner with the Ratz way back in 1999 (see page 32).
Coach Stone also played that day in the under 19s. However, Stone will be watching from the sideline tomorrow after injuring his knee in the major semi.
"We have plenty of players who are fit so they won't need me,'' Stone explained.
The match will start at 3pm.
