THE Albury Thunder's injury list continued to grow last weekend, but coach Ben Jeffery is confident his depth players are up to the task against Wagga Brothers on Sunday.
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After they came within a whisker of forcing a draw against Young, Jeffery said the side had proved it was up to the task despite the absence of several star players.
“We gave ourselves the chance to win it, we were probably a little unlucky not to in the end,” he said.
“The attitude around the club is fantastic given the amount of players we're missing.
“We had a few young guys in there who are just starting their first grade careers.
“The players who came in for us last weekend showed that they are up to the standard.”
While things are looking good for the players on the field, the Thunder have received a mixed bag on the injury front.
John Huggett is a 50-50 chance to face the Brothers at Greenfield Park after receiving a positive prognosis on his dislocated thumb.
The players who came in for us last weekend showed that they are up to the standard.
- Ben Jeffery
Jack Watson is also set to play after sitting out the Young clash due to work commitments.
But the good news ends there for the Thunder, as a number of other key players are set for longer stints on the sideline.
Joe Silafau damaged the ligaments in his ankle against Young on Sunday and will definitely miss out.
Andrew Smith will know more about his knee injury in the coming days. Jeffery said he was sweating on the results.
“We might get Andrew back a game or two after the bye, but the worst case scenario is that we don't get him back at all this season,” he said.
David Cowhan will be absent this weekend as well after dislocating his kneecap playing for Riverina on Sunday, while brother Andrew Cowhan has also been stuck on the sidelines with an injured thumb.
Jeffery said the side only had to make it through this clash unscathed to be able to send the next fortnight licking their wounds.
“The timing of the byes has been good, it does limit the damage and give some of the boys time to get fit,” he said.
“We're hoping to get both the Cowhans back after the bye.
“Silafau should be good to go by then as well.
“Given who we have out of the side the Brothers will come out firing, it'll be a tough one for us.”
The Thunder sit fifth on the ladder alongside Gundagai and Temora with five wins apiece.
They have the bye in round 10 which follows a general bye for all clubs.
