HERO: Jade Porter crossed for two tries in the Rosella's 26-18 win over Lakes United in the minor semi-final on Saturday. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers
WESTERN Suburbs coach Steve Storrie is hoping for a favourable injury report as the Rosellas prepare for another do-or-die finals match.
Already with captain Mark Taufua and wingers Ryan Lamb and Willis Alatani, Wests lost centre Brad Tighe (leg) and fullback Cal Richardson (groin) late in 26-18 win over Lakes United in the minor semi-final at Harker Oval on Saturday.
The home side was down 18-16 with 12 minutes remaining, before late tries to Jade Porter and Warren Schillings.
Storrie expects to have Taufua back from a shoulder injury for the preliminary final and has his fingers crossed about the two backs.
“We will see how they recover, but I imagine they will be both in doubt,” Storrie said.
“To lose two of our attacking weapons in Cal and Brad when we were chasing points was a big, but the boys dug deep.
“It was backs-to-the-wall stuff. We had back-rowers playing in the centres and were pretty much all over the shop. The defence of our middle blokes was unbelievable. They had Chris Adams jumping out of dummy half and putting blokes at us.”
Porter was outstanding. The halfback and former player of the year scored two tries and was a constant threat.
“It was Jade’s best game in a long time,” Storrie said.
The loss ends Lakes United’s premiership defence and is likely to be the last game under coach Dean Noonan.