MANNING Ratz will be without elusive centre Dean Mills for the Lower North Coast Rugby Union grand final to be played at Taree Rugby Park on Saturday October 3.
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Mills received his third yellow card in the 27-21 win over Wauchope Thunder in the major semi-final at Taree last Saturday. Ratz coach Jake Maurirere explained that under rugby rules, Mills receives a one game suspension.
The club attempted to appeal the ruling this week, however, this was blocked by the Mid North Coast judiciary.
"They said we didn't have a case,'' Maurirere said.
This is the second successive year the Ratz have lost players to suspension for the grand final. Last year Dave Rees and Ricky Campbell were forced to sit out the decider.
Maurirere said Mills is a 'massive loss.'
"His combination with Jake Hazard in the centres has just about been unstoppable,'' Maurirere said.
On a positive note Bruywn Tisdell is expected to be fit after recovering from a hamstring strain. Tisdell has missed the last two matches.
No 8 Sam Hartnett could also be available for the grand final. Hartnett has been sidelined after sustaining a knee injury on July 18 in the match against Barbarian Hogs.
