Called into the number seven jumper this season, Coughlan was rubbed out of action for over two months when he injured his neck in the opening match of the season against the Oberon Tigers.

The half is one of several injury stories to come out of the Saints shed this year, but the season’s script has taken a turn for the better going into today’s sudden death match.

Since his return to the team, Coughlan has solidified his halves partnership with Garry Reilly and the results have flowed in their favour with six wins from their last seven games.

Coughlan said missing half the season to injury was a big blow considering how well he had prepared both his body and game for the year ahead.

“It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster. I had one of the best pre-seasons that I’ve ever had. I’d put on some weight coming in as well,” he said.

“The last couple of years Pat’s had signed a couple of halfbacks ahead of me, but this year I was given the chance to come up so I was very keen to return the favour. 

“To then go out in the first game of the season was very disappointing, especially after the knockout win.

“To be out for eight to nine weeks, it got me down. I got myself back to the gym as soon as I could. With Nathan Lawrence, myself and Joe Batchelor all back in the team, it’s been positive.”

With a consistent line-up together over the past couple of months, Pat’s have shown signs of the football that earned them the premier league title last season.

A loss to Orange CYMS last weekend may have ended a six-game winning streak for the Saints, but they’re still riding on a wave of momentum.

Pat’s will be out to avoid getting themselves into a similar situation to what unfolded last time they took a trip to King George Oval.

The Saints were left to regret leaving their comeback too late as they were stung by a Steve Lane field goal to go down 23-22.

An error-riddled first half sunk the boot into Pat’s on that occasion, but the Saints were a much more composed unit when they hosted the Bears later in the season.

The Bears were blown off the park in a 38-4 result, but Coughlan believed it would be very brave to back a similar lacklustre performance to come from Blayney tomorrow at home.

“Both teams will be going into this at pretty much full strength. Blayney have big guys in there like Dane Howarth and Terawhiti Cooper who’s back for this game. They’re the guys who lay the foundation for Steve Lane and Terry Brown to go to work,” he said. 

“We need to move those big boys around quick through our kicks and forcing repeat sets. That’s something that Garry Reilly and I will be working on.

“I’m happy with where my game is at the moment. There’s still a bit there to work on but I’m ready to rip into this one.”

The team is largely unchanged from the side that took on CYMS, with Nick Millar’s performance there earning him a spot in the starting 13.

Kick-off will be at 1.45pm.

ST PAT’S: 1 Nathan Lawrence, 2 Adam Morton, 3 Curtis Boardman, 4 Matt Tilley, 5 Tim Collins, 6 Garry Reilly, 7 Joey Coughlan, 8 Travis Wininara, 9 Benjamin John (c), 10 Nick Millar, 11 Brady Cheshire, 12 Corey Averio, 13 Joe Batchelor, 14 Hudson White, 15 Mick Armstrong, 16 Chris De Young, 17 Harrison McCarthy, 18 Jack Mackey