Russell will retire after his commitments finish this season. He hopes to be playing a few more weeks yet in the semi-finals, although this will be Old Bar’s last game for 2017 at Old Bar. The Pirates must beat Wauchope tomorrow and hope Wingham go down to Macleay for the Pirates to claim fifth spot.

Russell is also determined to finish among the try scorers tomorrow.

“I haven’t scored a try this year – at this stage I’m on the nudie run,’’ he said.

“So I’ll be playing front row against Wauchope and I won’t be passing the ball.’’

His co-captain coach Jake Wheeler has received favourable news on the ankle injury he aggravated in the 50-26 loss to Wingham last week. Wheeler’s season looked to be over when he was carried off late in the second half, but he now expects to play on Saturday.

However, Wheeler believes second rower Sean Carr’s year is finished courtesy of a troublesome shoulder injury. Hooker Dylan Towers will return this week after missing the clash against Wingham with the flu.

Wheeler said the Pirates will have to concentrate on beating Wauchope and not worry about what’s happening at Kempsey.

“We’ve put ourselves in this predicament,’’ he said.

“We had a chance to wrap up a spot in the five last week and we didn't take it.’’

THE equation for Wingham is simple. Beat Macleay at Kempsey on Saturday and play in the Group Three Rugby League finals the following week. Lose and think about Mad Monday.

The Tigers will welcome back representative centre Tim Bridge for the clash after he completed a two game suspension. Coach Jamie Moorehead said his side has been buoyed by the performances of the past two weeks when they turned in a spirited effort against Port City before thrashing Old Bar.

“They were probably our two best games of the year,’’ Moorehead said.

“So it would be good to make it a hat-trick this weekend.’’

There’s speculation Macleay could rest some players as the Kempsey-combination can do no better or worse than second spot. However, Moorehead isn’t reading too much into that.

“Every side wants to go into the semi-finals with a win,’’ Moorehead said.

“They still have plenty to play for. We’ll just have to want it more than them.’’

TAREE City will field four players still eligible for under 18s as the Bulls look to secure third place on the Group Three Rugby League ladder in the final round clash against Port Macquarie at the Jack Neal Oval on Saturday.

The Bulls are third on 28 points, one clear of Port, so the winner will claim third and a place in the preliminary semi-final against Macleay Valley on Sunday week.

Taree coach Gary Bridge has called on under 18s to fill gaps caused by injuries in the last month. He’ll be sticking to that policy tomorrow. None of the under 18s will play the junior grade.

“This is the best side we can put on the field at the moment,’’ Bridge said.

Bridge said there’s some hope hooker Mick Henry could return from rib and shoulder injuries for the semis, but he won’t be there tomorrow.

The Bulls will have fullback Dean Mills and winger Nayden Moriarty back from injury in a timely boost.

Taree thrashed the Sharks in the first round encounter when it appeared Port would struggle to make the top five. However, since then Port has acquired the services for former captain-coach Joe Cudmore and ex-Port City forward Connor Cheeseman.

“They’ve picked up another couple of players as well,’’ Bridge said.

“So they’ll be a different side from the first round.’’