REDAN has suffered a big blow on the eve of the finals, with triple premiership player Damien Horbury ruled out of at least this week’s final against North Ballarat City.
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Horbury went down with an ankle injury last week against Melton, and is a certainty to miss Saturday’s qualification against the reigning premier. It is not yet known exactly how long he will be sidelined, with the Lions guaranteed to play a minimum of two weeks of finals.
Coach Eammon Gill said the loss of Horbury would have a big impact on his side’s backline, where Horbury had crafted his trade this year.
“He will be a big loss. A big part of that will be his kicking skills – he’s got a good left foot,” Gill said.
The maroon and gold will arguably enter Saturday’s match as outsiders, with North City dropping just the one match so far this year.
However, they were in the same position last year but won the qualifying final by 41 points.
For North City, coach Rob Waters is preparing to take a near full-strength side into the clash.
Sam Howard is a possibility to play after recovering from a hamstring injury, with Marc Greig is battling a calf injury.
The match is the stand-alone fixture on Saturday, to be played at Eastern Oval.