Junee fullback Daniel Foley is confident an eye injury won’t keep him from facing Southcity in the Group Nine preliminary final on Sunday.
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Foley came off in the second half of the Diesels’ 54-16 loss to Gundagai last week after struggling with his vision.
The livewire came off worse for wear as he attempted to tackle Tigers’ flyer Phil Latu.
An accidental poke in the eye caused the damage but the 22-year-old has quickly recovered.
“It's a lot better now,” Foley said.
“I was seeing double for a while on the weekend, which scared me a bit, but it has come good.
“It’s still a bit sore but it is a lot better than what is what.”
I was seeing double for a while on the weekend, which scared me a bit, but it has come good.
- Junee fullback Daniel Foley
While Foley has declared himself right for the preliminary final, his teammates aren’t out of the woods.
Captain-coach Matt Hands, centre Peter Little and second rower Clifford Morris all need to prove their fitness to take on the Bulls.
Being injured is nothing new for Foley, who has struggled with a hamstring complaint.
Twice this season he’s been sidelined with the issue, including missing a two-week stint in June when he re-aggravated the problem.
No stranger to hamstring issues, the 22-year-old is hopeful he’s got it right for the most important time of the season.
“It’s been giving me issues all year,” he said.
“I have to manage it every week.”
The chance of getting his hometown team into their first grand final in five years is something that excites Foley.
The last time the Diesels made finals Foley was still playing Weissel Cup but he’s being enjoying the different challenge.
“I’ve never played finals footy in first grade before so it’s been good,” he said.
“I’m loving it.”
After coming away with a narrow two-point win when the Diesels took on Southcity two weeks ago, Foley is expecting another tight clash.
One bonus for the club is the return of Patrick Sagigi.
The prop was suspended after being cited by the Bulls for a lifting tackle on Vinnie Paul, and Foley believes he’ll be a welcome addition.