Railways recall big guns to launch GFL finals campaign against Diorites

Railways’ lead-up to Saturday’s clash with Mines Rovers in the Goldfields Football League second semifinal has been a combination of good and bad, with the return of four front-liners offset by a season-ending injury to Makua Vlasich.

Panthers coach Rhett Pettit said scans had revealed Vlasich had sustained a ruptured ACL, while Kyle Penny was “50-50” to play this weekend because of a hamstring strain.

“We’d been hopeful that it (Vlasich’s knee injury sustained in round 19) wasn’t too serious,” Pettit said.

“He was one who missed out last year (playing in the league grand final) so we’re all very disappointed.”

Pettit said Penny’s availability largely depended on how he pulled up from Friday night’s final session.

“It’s a case of do we save him for the following weekend, or roll the dice,” he said.

“We’re being reasonably conservative with him but if it was a grand final, 100 per cent he’d play.”

The upside in the Panthers’ camp is the return of Kyle Ryder, Steve Edwards, Tom Gilbert and Jordon Reid.

Railways are favourites on their home ground to advance straight to the grand final after dominating the qualifiers with 15 wins.

A lone defeat was against Mines Rovers in round 15 by 11 points.

As expected, Mines Rovers coach Marc Johnstone countered strongly by recalling Darcy Stevens, Ethan Sambo, Brad Dick, Rory Gurr and Logan Hughes.

Ahead of Sunday’s first semifinal against Boulder, Kalgoorlie coach Rick Butterfield recalled Jordan Angus, Kyle White and Tyrell Metcalf.

“The feeling’s very good and the boys are confident,” Butterfield said.

“But at the same time, we’re wary of the fact that Boulder match-up very well against us.

“The big difference from last time we played them is that they didn’t have Andy Higgins so we’ll likely have to put some work into him.”

In Boulder’s camp, Nathan Murray and Jarrod Donaldson come into the side while Shyrone Graham was due to undergo a fitness test on Friday night.

Both teams finished with seven wins, but the Tigers host the sudden-death clash at Digger Daws Oval after logging a better percentage.

In head-to-head clashes this season, Boulder holds a 3-1 advantage.