Roden has faith in class of 2008

WAITING TO PASS: Neil Roden in action in the recent game against Doncaster at Boundary Park, which Oldham lost 32-20. The Roughyeds will seek revenge for that defeat in this Sunday’s National League Two Grand Final in Warrington

NEIL Roden admits he would be "devastated" not to recover in time for the big Grand Final rematch with Doncaster this weekend — but is backing the Roughyeds to do the business with or without him.

The 28-year-old stand-off, at the back end of his current two-season deal with the Roughyeds, hobbled away early on in the 38-14 win over Rochdale last week with a pulled hamstring and failed to re-emerge.

For a player who has battled his way through 67 matches over the past two seasons with Oldham — on many occasions, playing on through the pain barrier due to a lack of an obvious replacement — it was a hurtful blow in every sense.

"I felt a pull when chasing back and just had to come off," said Roden, scorer of a 84 tries in a Roughyeds shirt across his two spells at the club, comfortably more than anyone else in Oldham RL's post-1997 history.

"I will have to give it time and see how it goes. I still want to play and will be devastated if I can't, but I can't risk going into the final not 100-per-cent fit only to come off after five minutes."

Roden alludes to the circumstances surrounding the gamble that was taken this time last year to risk on-loan winger Byron Ford in the final against Featherstone.

The prolific Cook Islands international had suffered from a thigh strain in the build-up to that game and despite being declared fit to start, was forced off with a recurrence of the problem only a few minutes in.

Oldham eventually lost 24-6 and it is an avoidable scenario coach Steve Deakin is looking to side-step at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington this time round — in all likelihood, to Roden's cost.

"Neil Roden, at this stage, is a massive doubt," Deakin said after the Rochdale win.

"We took a risk last year on Byron Ford and it came back to bite us, so I would be very surprised if he does play."

Whether he turns out or not, the experienced Roden believes that a repeat show of the second-half display against Rochdale in the final eliminator will tip things in the Roughyeds' favour this weekend.

The intensity of pressure brought about by good ball control, allied to the forward power which regularly saw Oldham make huge strides forward in every set, played a major role in breaking the resistance of a Hornets side which led 14-12 at half-time in the final eliminator at Boundary Park.

Now, two weeks after being beaten 32-20 at home by Ellery Hanley's side, Oldham have the chance to right the wrongs of that day by putting on a similar show.

"Doncaster have beaten us but if we turn up as we know we can, we would have to be confident of getting the win," added Roden, who admits talks regarding his own own future are on the back burner until after the final is finished.

"I think it will be a close game. They do the basics well, not giving away many penalties and making few mistakes.

"But we know if we get our game right, as we have showed this season against Whitehaven and Salford, we can beat anybody outside of Super League.

“It is all about how we play on the day. We have to keep the ball and, more than that, keep our discipline."