Joe Galuvao's dream of an NRL grand final fairytale has been given new life with Manly coach Geoff Toovey declaring the veteran forward still "in the mix".
On Wednesday, Galuvao said he was ready to play if called upon for Sunday's decider but admitted he was at long odds becauseToovey had already decided he wouldn't use him to fill his vacant interchange spot.
But there's either been some miscommunication or a change of heart because yesterday Toovey refused to rule Galuvao out. Five months ago, Galuvao announced his retirement after rupturing an Achilles tendon, requiring surgery.
Now he's a chance to end his impressive career with a fourth grand final appearance.
Galuvao will either parade around ANZ Stadium on Sunday as one of the NRL's retiring greats, or he'll lace up his boots for one last hurrah.
Toovey said Galuvao had done all he could to face the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
"He's in the mix but it would be highly unlikely. He's had 20 weeks off," said Toovey. "It was a major surgery, but he's trained hard this week to try and prove himself." Toovey will make a final call on his bench tomorrow.
David Gower and youngster James Hasson are in contention for the interchange spot left vacant by Richie Fa'aoso, who suffered a broken neck in last week's preliminary final win over South Sydney. Galuvao has won premierships with Penrith and Manly and also featured in a losing grand final for Parramatta.
Rival coach Trent Robinson said "he wouldn't be surprised" if Galuvao did play.
According to close mate Frank Puletua, nothing can diminish what he believes is one of the "great" NRL careers.
Galuvao has been to five clubs since he debuted as a fullback for the Warriors in 1998.
Since Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe urged him to hang up the boots in 2007, he's played in two grand finals.
"There's times when the profile of a player can carry them over some of the more difficult times," Puletua said.
"But Joey [has been] able to come back from really the lows of lows you can have in league, where you get thrown outside the unit and basically shown the door."
