Foot-ball blow
IPSWICH Jets captain Keiron Lander was yesterday rated by a club official as no chance of playing against Redcliffe on Sunday.
But typically for Lander, he has not given up hope of overcoming the foot injury he suffered last weekend against Wynnum Manly.
It will take more than a sore foot to keep him off the field in the Jets biggest game of the year so far.
"I'm still hoping to play," Lander said.
It will depend on what the x-rays and scans reveal.
"It might be just some bruising," Lander said. "Or it might be a small ligament tear."
Lander is not the only one suffering this week, with the Jets battered and bruised in their 16-all draw.
"We played a very tough game," Lander said. "When you turn up physically that will happen. But everyone seems to be right."
The Jets faced a far worse injury crisis at the same stage last year. Lander doesn't think it was responsible for the Jets bowing out in the first week of finals.
"We had the personnel last year," he said. "We just didn't stick to the game plan against the Pride (Northern Pride).
"This year is no different.
"If blokes don't do their job the same thing will happen."
Lander admits the pressure of the situation may have affected the Jets in last year's final, which he missed through injury.
But it provided a valuable lesson. "We hadn't been there for a long time," Lander said of playing finals.
"We've learnt from that, come a long way and built on last year."
Plenty hinges on this weekend's result - a top three spot on the ladder a week out from finals and the proof they can beat the competition front runners.
Jets five-eighth Brendon Lindsay, the fourth most capped Queensland Cup player in history, makes no secret of its importance.
"Finishing in the top three is a massive bonus," Lindsay said.
"I think there's confidence in the camp and we're definitely looking at winning our last two games.
"If it doesn't happen our mentality is pretty strong.
"We're confident in our ability."
Lander has no concerns about his team's readiness for Redcliffe.
"We had our freshen up two weeks ago (with the bye)," he said.
"Now it's about getting yourself up and excited by what we need to do to hopefully get into the finals.
"If we've had a hard game you don't flog everyone at training.
"You just do what needs to be done to prepare for the game."
In Ipswich's favour is a settled squad with confidence in any injury enforced replacements.
"At times we haven't been settled," Lander said.
"We've had one or two guys out.
"But the guys who have come in have done a really good job."
MAIN GAME
Q-Cup: 2.10pm Sunday - Ipswich Jets (3rd) v Redcliffe Dolphins (1st) at North Ipswich Reserve.
