GRIFFITH coach Andrew Cullen said he would do almost anything to have his star US import Leon Rosborough on the court for their sudden-death semi-final this weekend, but said there was a big line he wasn't willing to cross.
Rosborough is in a race against time to be fit for the clash with Sutherland after landing awkwardly on his ankle after collecting a rebound last weekend against Illawarra.
However, Cullen said he had all but ruled out Rosborough from taking a pain-killing injection if that's what it took for him to suit up for the game against Sutherland.
The Area News has this week learnt that Rosborough was briefly sidelined when playing for Vanguard University in the US after a heart murmur was detected.
Cullen said he wanted Rosborough to play in the game for himself as much as for the team, but said he would prefer him miss the clash if it meant putting his life in danger.
"It's all well and good for me to use something if I wanted to because it's my body, but there is no way I would risk Leon in that way," Cullen said.
"He's staying at my place at the moment and you can see he's disappointed because you play a long season like we do and then to have an injury like this at this time of the year."
Cullen has been trying just about any treatment available for the power forward this week, with intensive physiotherapy, massage and even acupuncture used in a bid to be ready for Saturday's game.
After what many suspected to be their last home game of the year, the Demons have earned the chance to go out on a high from the Demon Dome, after finishing with the superior regular season record of 11-4.
The Griffith leader said he knew Sutherland was going to be a tough side, given they have former NBL player on the books, as they look to turn around their disappointing performance against Illawarra last weekend.
"They've (Sutherland) been in finals a lot and they're a metro side that draws on a huge area and they're a very cocky side, and from what I've heard they're very strong three-point shooters," Cullen said.
"But it's going to have a bit of shock value (the Griffith home crowd) but they should be used to that kind of crowd, like Guy Brandon who played for the Hawks, so it's not going to surprise them too badly.
"We're going to need every little advantage we can get.
Cullen shouldered much of the blame for Rosborough's injury and his side's loss to the Hawks last round, but said he needed his key players to keep their timing ahead of a month of sudden-death basketball.
"Don't get me wrong, we were there to win the game but nothing went our way," he said.
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