WESTERN Suburbs fullback Sam Keenan will sit out this weekend in a bid to be fully fit for the Rosellas' finals campaign after having a cortisone injection on Monday.
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Keenan has been struggling with an ankle injury recently and Wests coach Matt Lantry wants his custodian firing for the play-offs.
The Rosellas meet Cessnock away on Saturday and then finish the regular rounds against Macquarie at Harker Oval on August 25, but having already wrapped up the minor premiership they won't feature in the opening week of the semis.
"He [Keenan] won't play this weekend," Lantry told the Newcastle Herald.
"It seems like he's moving a lot better since the [cortisone] injection on Monday, but he'll have the week off and hopefully be back before the start of the semis."
Regular five-eighth Chad O'Donnell will instead wear the No.1 jersey for Wests while utility Ryan Walsh gets an opportunity to partner brother Luke in the halves.
"Ryan [Walsh] has been really patient [playing off the bench] and now he gets an opportunity in the No.6," Lantry said.
Daniel Langbridge is expected to come onto the bench to face the Goannas at Cessnock Sportsground.
Wests junior Ross Haidle retains his starting position in the second-row in what will be his fourth straight appearance in the top grade.
