MANNING Ratz will head to the Mid North Coast Rugby Union judiciary this week in a bid to clear centre Dean Mills for the Lower North Coast grand final to be played at Taree on Saturday October 3.
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Mills received his third yellow card in Manning's 27-21 win over Wauchope Thunder in the major semi-final last Saturday.
"Under rugby rules three yellow cards equals a one game suspension,'' Ratz coach Jack Maurirere explained.
"But that's a terrible way to miss a grand final. We're hoping we can do something at the judiciary so Dean will be right to play.''
While Mills is in doubt, Maurirere said two other players, centre Bruwyn Tisdell and No 8 Sam Hartnett are both expected to be fit.
Tisdell has been battling a troublesome hamstring injury for a month while Hartnett has been sidelined since July after damaging his knee.
Neither played against Thunder in the major semi.
Maurirere conceded the decision to play five-eighth Ricky Campbell was a gamble.
Campbell injured his shoulder in the clash against Wallamba on September 5 and missed the final round game against Old Bar. Maurirere said last week Campbell was only a 50-50 chance.
"But by Saturday that was probably 80-20,'' he said.
Campbell defended behind the line for much of the game, however, he took a few knocks on the shoulder. He scored a try early in the second half and turned in a solid display.
Under normal circumstances Campbell would have captained the side, but due to the injury issue, Jake Wheeler took the reins.
"I think once Rick got the first hit on the shoulder he was okay,'' Maurirere said.
"It was a gamble to play him, but it paid off.
It was a gamble to play him, but it paid of
- Manning Ratz coach Jake Maurirere on the decision to play Ricky Campbell
"He has a couple of weeks now, so Rick will be right for the grand final.''
Wauchope forwards scored a win over the Ratz in the scrummaging department. Maurirere agreed and said the Ratz will be getting plenty of work on the scrum machine at training sessions before grand final day on October 3.
Maurirere thinks the Ratz will be playing Thunder in a fortnight's time, believing they'll beat Wallamba in Saturday's final.
"Wallamba has a lot of experience, but I think Wauchope will have too many match winners,'' he said.
Meanwhile, the Ratz players' fund received a healthy boost via a $1000 bet on the game.
"A couple of Wauchope league guys contacted Jake Wheeler during the week and wanted to back Wauchope for $1000,'' Maurirere said.
The money was covered by the players and others from the club, giving the Ratz a financial boost as well as a grand final berth.
