Six weeks ago, the star centre copped a heavy tackle in a game ironically against tomorrow’s opponents, and it was initially feared his season was over.

The Bathurst recruit feared he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and this week spoke of his relief of escaping the season-ending injury.

“It was just in a tackle and a big fellow came in from the side,” he said.

“I just heard a pop and thought it was the ACL straight away.

“But I had a few tests and it was just medial (ligament) and cartilage damage thankfully.”

West, 22, has been training for two weeks and will run out for the Panthers as they aim to secure victory in the club’s most important game in close to a decade.

He said it was a great feeling to be involved in a finals campaign with his new club after moving to the Border in January.

“It’s great to be back and able to play in a final, especially at a new club,” he said.

“It’s been really good meeting all these new blokes, and playing in a good team has been fantastic.

“They’ve been really good to me and I can’t wait to run out on Sunday.”