Broncos Meg Ward and Maitua Feterika face fitness battle for inaugural NRLW grand final
INJURED Brisbane guns Meg Ward and Maitua Feterika are racing the clock to be cleared for Sunday’s inaugural NRLW grand final.
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BRONCOS guns Meg Ward and Maitua Feterika are racing the clock to be cleared for Sunday’s inaugural NRLW grand final.
The dominant Brisbane side booked the first place in the women’s NRL premiership decider on Friday night, after thumping the Warriors 32-10.
But as they now shift focus to the history-making clash in Sydney next week, the Broncos will also sweat on the fitness of Ward and Feterika.
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While coach Paul Dyer is confident both can overcome their respective injuries to be cleared for the grand final, the duo will have to prove their fitness over the coming days.
Centre Ward could be the biggest concern for the Broncos, after she suffered a minor fracture in her left hand against the Roosters last week.
She missed Friday’s meeting with the Warriors and will have to undergo a series of tests on Tuesday to prove she can play through the injury.
“She is deadset a chance to play,” a confident Dyer told The Sunday Mail.
“It’s only a minor fracture and the pain has started to subside over the course of the week and the swelling has gone down.
“We’ll have a look at her early in the week at training and we’ll make a decision pretty quickly.
“It will be about testing her grip more than anything. She needs to strengthen her grip, grab things and grab them tightly.”
As for second rower Feterika, Dyer was confident the damage was minor.
She fell to the ground early in the second half on Friday night with what appeared to be an ACL injury.
The New Zealand international had to be assisted from the field but Dyer said afterwards she was moving around the dressing room.
“Initially there was a bit of concern because she was in a bit of pain but that seems to have subsided,” Dyer said.
“The physio seems to think she will be fine. The best sign for us is she up and walking around.”
Feterika will go for scans
on Monday.
Dyer said he will give both players every opportunity to prove their fitness as they deserved their chance to be there on grand final day.
“We’re really proud of all of them,” Dyer said of his 22 player squad.
“From the moment this squad came together, they’ve been a fantastic group of girls. They got their just desserts for all their efforts.
“It’s another week of hard work and we just hope on grand final it all pays off.”
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Originally published as Broncos Meg Ward and Maitua Feterika face fitness battle for inaugural NRLW grand final