INJURED Wangaratta Rovers star Daniel Archer has sought medical advice from former club St Kilda as he looks to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday’s first semi-final against Lavington.
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Archer, who played a game for the Saints in 2011, is based in Melbourne and returned to the AFL club this week to have his injured quad assessed.
Archer, 22, said he was confident he would be fit to take his place for the Hawks in Sunday's knockout final at Wodonga.
“It’s tracking really well,” Archer said.
“I’m pretty confident I’ll be right.
“I checked in with the physio, who I’ve been seeing for four or five years, and they’re pretty confident as well.
“I’m looking forward to a great contest with Lavington.”
Archer stirred up the injury seven minutes into the third quarter of Saturday’s elimination final win over Corowa-Rutherglen.
He didn’t return.
The athletic forward, who has booted 40 goals for the season, said the fact he didn’t push the injury could be a positive as the week progressed.
“It obviously meant I didn’t aggravate it any further, which hopefully holds me in good stead,” he said.
“It was good to see the young guys stand up and play some really good footy in that second half.”
Wangaratta Rovers coach Paul Maher, who will lead the club again next season, said he was “80 to 90 per cent” confident his star forward would be available for selection.
“We’re planning for the game with ‘Arch’ in the side, put it that way,” Maher said.
But fellow former AFL player James Mulligan has already been ruled out because of illness.
Cam Bishop (ankle) is likely to return, with the Hawks to train tomorrow ahead of the do-or-die clash at John Flower Oval.
