All clear

Searl sat out the weekend’s preliminary final triumph over arch-rivals Gordon with what he described as groin trouble, but has confirmed he will return to the line-up for the decider against Buninyong.

The key defender was in Donald seeing a specialist on Monday when contacted by The Courier and said he will “absolutely” be playing against the Bombers.

Searl admitted it was somewhat of a gamble not to run out against the Eagles.

“I felt alright Thursday at training, but then pulled up a bit sore on Friday and was not quite ready. On the Saturday I made the call (not to play),” Searl said.

“If I rested and we lost I would have said ‘that’s a poor decision’.”

Searl was not so categorical about the fitness of fellow joint-coach Nick Couch, who started against the Eagles but left the field in the early stages of the match with a hip issue.

“He was sore in the hips and couldn’t move too well, but I’d say it will take a lot to stop him from playing as well,” Searl said.

Top defender Tim Malone was sore after a knock in the first half on Sunday, but will be fine for this Saturday’s clash, said Searl.

Meanwhile, Buninyong will have a tough call to make on midfielder Alec Wiltshire.

Wiltshire badly hurt his leg in the round 16 clash with Ballan, and while close to being selected for the preliminary final, was left out for the win over the Burras.

After the game last Saturday, Bombers joint-coach Jarrod Morgan said Wiltshire remained a chance for a grand final recall.

“He was really close (to playing in the preliminary final), but we just couldn’t afford to take in someone with an injury with the depth we’ve got,” Morgan said.

“He’ll put pressure on some other blokes, for sure. We’ll just have to see how he progresses through the week, but I’m sure he’ll be doing everything he can now.”

Buninyong is chasing its first senior premiership since 2002, while Springbank is out to clinch back-to-back flags.

Saturday’s grand final will begin from 2.45pm at Alfredton Recreation Reserve.