The Engadine Lions have dedicated today's Illawarra Rugby Union showdown with Tech Waratahs to injured team-mate James Evangelou.
Playing their first season in the top grade, third-placed Engadine's seven-match winning streak has made rivals sit up and take notice. But the Lions' success was soured when Evangelou suffered a serious neck injury in last week's home win over premiers Shoalhaven.
The 25-year-old prop is due to have surgery on Monday morning and his rugby union career is almost certainly over.
Lions coach Dion Miller said the entire first grade side would visit Evangelou in Wollongong Hospital this morning and present him with his playing jersey.
"It's going to be very emotional. Jimmy's played a huge role in our campaign this year and it's really sad knowing he's probably played his last game," Miller said.
"All the boys will be there to give him his jersey and there'll be lots of hugs and handshakes. Going out and beating the competition leaders is one of the best ways we can honour him, so there's a lot of motivation in the side to play well and win it for Jimmy."
Tech Waratahs downed Engadine in the previous meeting, but the Lions have improved immensely over the past two months.
"Tech are a very well-drilled, technical side and hopefully we've got the right plans to get over the top of them," Miller said.
"We have to contain their forwards and Tech will be looking to fight back after last week's draw against Shamrocks. We see their fullback Trevor Longbottom as a real danger man because he's a great try-scorer and we'll have to keep a close watch on him.
"We're ahead of where we thought we'd be at this stage of the season, but now that we've seen what we're capable of, we've reassessed our goals and the minor premiership is certainly not out of the question."
Tech Waratahs have lost winger Aita Maefou to a rib injury and coach Paul Darby will name a replacement this morning. Darby said the Lions had his side's full respect.
"We've been watching Engadine quite closely and we're quite wary of them," he said.
"They've taken a number of scalps and they're definitely on a roll. They're a good bunch of guys to play against and this game will be completely different to last time. They're very good at the breakdown and in defence and they never give up.
"Hopefully the wind doesn't blow up and ruin the game because it should be a cracker. I'm sure they're looking forward to it as much as our boys are."
Meantime, Shamrocks will significantly boost their top five prospects if they knock off second-placed Avondale at Ocean Park.
After a slow start to the season, the Rocks have climbed into sixth spot and are coming off last week's draw with Tech Waratahs.
The Wombats have romped to big wins in their last two matches against Vikings and Camden.
In other games, Kiama are away to Vikings and University host Camden.
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