Couch left the field in the early stages of the 45-point preliminary final win over Gordon after being twisted in a tackle which left him too sore to return to the field.

At Wednesday’s press conference, Couch conceded he was no certainty to play on the biggest day of the year but was confident within his own mind he would be able to get up for the clash.

“In my mind at the moment I’m playing,” Couch said.

“(But) there’s not too many days in the week left.

“I’ve got two days to go, hopefully I can get up.”

However, Couch assured teammates and supporters that he wouldn’t take to the field if he would be any hindrance to the team.

The valuable midfielder said he would wait until Saturday morning to make the call and if he pulls the boots on he wouldn’t be pinch-hitting in attack – he would line-up at the coal-face.

“I’ll do absolutely everything I can to get up but we’ll leave it until Saturday morning.

“I’m not going to go out there on one leg. If I put myself out on the ground I’ll have two legs and I’ll start in the middle.”

Joint-coach Michael Searl, who missed the preliminary final with a groin injury, said he was “absolutely right” for the grand final - declaring himself a certain starter.

With a chance of rain forecast for Saturday’s grand final, the only other selection decisions on the Springbank line-up is expected to be decided by the weather as the club looks to enter the match with the appropriate structure.