SIDELINED Port City Breakers star Daniel Dumas is confident the side can account for their Group 3 rivals in his absence over the coming weeks.
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The talented second-rower hyper-extended his knee during the Breakers’ shock 32-22 loss to the Forster Tuncurry Hawks last Sunday – and will miss tomorrow’s final round showdown with the Camden Haven Eagles at the Regional Sports Stadium.
If Port City knocks over cellar-dwellers Camden Haven, as expected, they’ll clinch the all-important minor premiership, thus giving Dumas further time to recover.
And, he’s positive the boys will look after him.
“I went for scans and tests yesterday, and I could be out for 3-4 weeks,” Dumas admitted.
“I bent it bad, but I’m lucky I didn’t do my cruciate.
“Either way, I knew something was wrong in the tackle.
“Now, I’ll do everything I can to get back.”
The Breakers hammered the Eagles 48-12 in Laurieton on May 29, their only meeting in 2010, however Dumas feels Port City needs to treat the match as a “semi-final”.
“They’ve got no other choice,” he said.
“Coming into the play-offs, there are not many opportunities to put it all together.
“It’s been stop-start for the Breakers the past few weeks and, if we pick up the minor premiership, we won’t play again until the major semi.
“The boys need to concentrate on their defence, as well as work on their attack, against the Eagles.
“Although Camden Haven has only won one match, they’ll be fired up to finish their season on a winning note.”
Dumas has nothing but praise for his team-mates, who will be burdened with extra responsibility in the next month.
“Centre Clint Walker returns tomorrow as does Adam Atkins, so that’s a major bonus,” he said.
“We might lack a bit of experience in the forwards, so Glen Littler, Dane Dickson and Banjo (Andrew Stewart) need to stand up.
“(Adam) Atkins will take youngsters Josh Osborne and Mitch Fowler under his wing.
“Those two guys (Ozzie and Chook) have been putting their hands up all year – and showing their potential.
“Even if they don’t go to Sydney, they’ll be good footballers for many years to come.”
Port City Breakers
Ben Hyde, Luke Turner, Clint Walker, Tristram Morris, Wayne Paulsen, Adrian Daley jnr, Josh Hyde, Scott Roach, Glen Littler, Mitch Fowler, Andrew Stewart, Matt Woods, Dane Dickson; Adam Atkins, Scott Comber, Josh Osborne
Round 17 draw:
Tomorrow –
3.25pm: Taree City Bulls v Wauchope Blues @ Jack Neal Oval
3.25pm: Old Bar Beach Pirates v Forster Tuncurry Hawks @ Wingham Sporting Complex
3.25pm: Port City Breakers v Camden Haven Eagles @ Regional Sports Stadium
Wingham Tigers bye
