KIAMA coach Matt O’Brien has left it up to prop Luke Sutton to decide whether he plays in Sunday’s Group Seven blockbuster against arch-rivals Gerringong.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Sutton was taken to hospital after play was stopped five minutes into their 18-10 victory over Shellharbour.
The fears he’d suffered a serious neck injury reverberated through the Kiama camp during a half-hour delay.
Falling awkwardly in the tackle, he was later cleared of any major damage, but has carried soreness this week.
“You never want to see your teammates go off like that,” O’Brien said.
“We were pretty worried, but the word came through later in the game he was ok, so it was a relief for the boys.
“He just got sort of tangled up and got squashed in the tackle a bit, so there was a fair bit of concern.
“We’ve left it with him to make a decision, even (Friday) I’m not totally sure, but the boys will step up to cover them if doesn’t play.”
Having been involved in two of the four drawn games this year, Kiama are the only team still unbeaten, with four wins from six rounds.They also boast Group Seven's most impressive defensive record, conceding 64 points.
“I’ve certainly been happy with how we’ve been defending,” he said.
“Our attack has a long way to go, we haven’t completed our sets as much as I’d like, but I think it’s the same with every team this year.
“If we can hold on to the ball and defend like we have been doing, we’ll be in the contest again (on Sunday).”
The South Coast derby always comes with extra feeling, but memories of last year’s finals series will linger at Kiama Showground.
The Knights rolled Gerringong in the qualifying final, but the Lions bounced back to beat Kiama in the preliminary final, before winning the premiership in a 28-24 thriller over Shellharbour.
“It was disappointing, we had a good year last season,” O’Brien said. “And we’d like to take another step or two this year, but you don’t need it to motivate yourself for a derby game and I’m sure they don’t either.”
Gerringong are likely to be boosted by the return of goalkicking sharp-shooter Joel Roberts, who played a key roll in last year’s title win.
GROUP SEVEN
Round seven
Saturday (2.45pm)
NOWRA-BOMADERRY v PORT KEMBLA at Nowra Showground
Sunday
WARILLA v ALBION PARK-OAK FLATS at Ces Glenholmes Oval (1.30pm), BERRY v JAMBEROO at Berry Showground, MILTON-ULLADULLA v SHELLHARBOUR at Bill Andriske Oval, KIAMA v GERRINGONG at Kiama Showground.