Last time: Hepburn 11.14 (80) d Newlyn 10.12 (72), round 1, 2018
Hepburn coach Segifili Asa Leausa will return to give his side a huge boost for its elimination final against Newlyn on Sunday.
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Asa Leausa has not played for the Burras since knocking himself out in sickening fashion against Waubra back on June 23.
The star defender was left unconscious when his attempt at a towering pack mark went awry.
Following that, he hurt a hamstring and has missed the last seven rounds of the home and away season.
Asa Leausa told The Courier he was able to sit out the round 17 clash with Learmonth because his side had already locked away a finals berth, meaning he could get his body “fully right” for the opening week of the playoffs.
The reigning premiers spent a number of weeks outside the top eight, but broke back in following the round 14 win over Carngham-Linton and haven’t looked back. Hepburn will take on Newlyn on the back of six-straight triumphs.
The Cats are preparing for their first finals appearance since 2012 and have named Adam Sewell on an extended interchange bench.
Sewell went under the knife to repair a tendon in his finger, which he injured during the Cats’ round nine victory against Learmonth in mid-June. He played hurt the following week against Springbank, but medical experts determined it was best to have surgery. He has not played since, but was picked in the squad of 23 following training on Thursday evening.
After returning to the club from Torquay during the pre-season, Sewell starred in his role off half back as the Cats won seven of their first nine matches.
His first game back for Newlyn was against Hepburn in round one. In that clash, the Cats pushed the Burras on their home turf only to fall short by eight points.
The Cats head into this clash on the back of a round 17 defeat at the hands of Beaufort, but are set to welcome back key player Dylan McLachlan. Based in the Northern Territory, McLachlan hasn’t flown down to play since the side’s battle with Gordon in mid-July.
Young forward Patrick Parr was missing from the selected team, but looms as a chance to return from a hamstring injury.
Joining Asa Leausa on the list of ins at Hepburn is key backman Scott Wood and classy forward Jimmy Rodgers.
The Burras’ coach said Wood had been away in recent weeks and that Rodgers was sidelined for the round 17 victory against Learmonth because of a knee complaint.
The successful side in this bout gets the opportunity to meet the loser of the game between Beaufort and Gordon.
Prediction: Hepburn.
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