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BELL Post Hill premiership player Justin Tarr is shaping as the hard-luck story of the GDFL grand final.
Tarr, who missed the 2010 premiership after undergoing hip surgery, hasn't played in the senior line-up since Round 14 against North Geelong and is fighting an uphill battle to regain his place in the side.
Panthers captain Brad Martin said Tarr, who won the medal for best-on-ground in last year's grand final, was one of six players staking their claim for a berth in the senior side but conceded the strongly-built forward was no certainty to play.
Asked if he believed it would be hard for Tarr to force his way in, Martin replied: "Yeah definitely".
"He was disappointed not to have played on the weekend that probably hurt his claims a little bit but he's been training with the group and doing all the right things."
The Panthers will assess the weather before making a final decision on Tarr, and several others, who have continued to train this week in the hope of winning a spot in the side.
"There's a few guys in the mix," Martin said.
"Obviously we were disappointed with the reserves getting kicked out last week with a goal after the siren, but we've got a good number of blokes probably 28 guys who are in the mix, so Grg (coach Brent Grgic) has a tough job to narrow it down to 22."
Martin said the reigning premiers would be reluctant to withhold the make-up of the side, admitting the final 22 will be released tonight .
"Grg in the past isn't one to play mind games," Martin said.
"He's straight to the point and he'll name his team and that will pretty much be it unless someone needs to be fitness tested.
"Having the week off, we know who's right."
The coach is every chance to return for the grand final, despite straining his medial ligament in the qualifying final against East Geelong.
"He's been training. He's been doing all the right things," Martin said.
Magpie Justin Diblasio is also chance to return.
"As with Bell Post, there's a few in the mix and with the reserves playing, everyone's continued training," North Geelong co-captain Derek Fitzsimmons said.
"There's a few boys who will pop their heads up and Diblasio is a chance."
