South Sydney will seek to give local junior Jason Clark a fitting send off by overcoming the Sydney Roosters in Saturday's grand final qualifier after the departing forward was ruled out of the match with an ankle injury.
Anthony Seibold's squad have plenty of fire in their bellies coming up against their local rivals and with a spot in the season decider on the line.
Ruled out: Jason Clark (left) alongside Adam Reynolds at Souths training.
But the loss of the much-loved and highly respected 29-year-old has delivered them extra motivation to reach the decider, with Junior Tatola promoted to the bench.
After a decade at Redfern, the Coogee Randwick Wombats junior will move to the English Super League next season to join Warrington.
And now the Rabbitohs want to win it for Clark so he can pull on the cardinal and myrtle one last time.
"He won't play tomorrow night, it's a real shame for Jason, he's a South Sydney junior," Seibold said.
"We made a decision this morning, that will be our only change to the 17.
"It's a great opportunity for Junior to come in here. But it's obviously very sad for Clarky because being a local guy, playing against the Roosters in a game like this would have been an unbelievable experience.
"We've got to get the job done so he can wear the jersey one last time."
Seibold was glowing in his praise for the 169-gamer and member of their 2014 premiership-winning side.
"I've been to a couple of clubs now as a player and a coach, he's definitely on the podium as the best club person I've been involved with," Seibold said.
"He's a terrific person, a terrific father, he has three beautiful daughters and a lovely wife, he represents everything about South Sydney – being a local junior and aspiring to play for their local club to win a premiership and going on to play over 150 games.
The South Sydney coach has enormous respect for Clark.
"I just think he's a terrific role model for our community."
Seibold said he had no concerns about Greg Inglis (ribs) and Adam Reynolds (shoulder), who have been playing with niggling injuries since week one of the finals.
AAP
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