McMahon told The Courier on Thursday night that he was unable to get through training and had decided to rest up and hope his side progresses to the Central Highlands Football League grand final.

“I’m pretty shattered, actually. It’s one of those things, I’ve never missed a final,” McMahon said.

“It will be hard watching, but hopefully the boys can play well and give me another chance to go at it next week.

“I’ve got to sort of picture us being there (in a grand final), I suppose, and treat it as if we will be there and hopefully I can be as well."

McMahon left the field early in the Tigers’ qualifying final win over Buninyong with a recurrence of the injury he first sustained back in round 13.

He has been replaced in Saturday’s side by North Ballarat Roosters-listed player Nick Couch.

Meanwhile, Redan coach Eammon Gill has made the painstaking call of dropping a player who has played every game for the season ahead of the Lions' Ballarat league final on Saturday.

Nick Willox, who came to the Lions this year from Wickliffe-Lake Bolac, did not miss a home-and-away game for the season but was held goalless in his side's thumping win over North Ballarat City last week.

He has been forced out of the side for the semi final against Darley to make way for experienced veteran Nathan Blomeley, who was a late withdrawal last week.

Willox is the maroon and gold's third best goal-scorer for the season, with his 32 goals from 17 games sitting just behind teammates Brenton Riordan (33) and Grant Bell (37).

In other notable selection news, North Ballarat City's Marcus Darmody has failed a fitness test and been ruled out.

However, Derick Micallef will come back into the North City side and has been named at full forward.