Wests say they will use Ben Coutts' heartbreaking grand final suspension as extra motivation to chase their first John I Dent Cup premiership in more than a decade.
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Coutts and the Wests legal team launched a last-minute attempt to have his grand final ban overturned at a special judiciary appeals hearing on Thursday night.
The club argued a case of mistaken identity because it believed Coutts was not the player in the infringing before he was given a yellow card in a preliminary final last weekend.
The argument hinged on the interpretation of "mistaken identity", but the judiciary upheld its initial decision earlier this week and Coutts will miss the grand final.
The veteran front-rower made his Wests debut in 1998 but hasn't won a first grade premiership.
His hopes of playing against Royals on Saturday were dashed by his third yellow card, which carries an automatic suspension.
Royals player Luke Kimber has also been suspended from the grand final after receiving his third yellow card.
Coutts, 38, has taken the punishment in his stride and will instead run the water in the grand final as Wests target their first premiership since 2005.
Captain Harry Lloyd said the absence of Coutts and Brumbies back-rower Rob Valetini, who has been ruled out with concussion, would make the team hungrier to end a title drought.
"This is the closest group I've been a part of, everyone is playing for each other," Lloyd said.
"We've also been given some freedom by the coaches to play what's in front of us, and that's been nice.
"Royals have been the best side and head and shoulders above everyone else this year. Individually we need to do our jobs and take our opportunities as they come on Saturday.
"It will be a shame if Couttsy isn't there on Saturday, but we'll find a way and we'll be playing for them."
Wests have had a disrupted build up to the grand final, with the lights at their training ground going out 10 minutes in their session earlier in the week.
Coutts had his hearing before training on Thursday night, but coach Craig Robberds is confident the players will be able to push aside off-field distractions to focus on toppling Royals.
Royals have won every game this season and will become the first team since 2004 to complete a perfect season if they beat Wests.
"We're aware of Wests' danger ... but we've been under the pump a number of times this season," said Royals coach Wayne Southwell.
"We've felt the pressure at times in games. We'll rely on experience and the leadership group out there. It's never been about going through undefeated.
"We set about enjoying the game and setting a standard everyone was happy with. That's what we're continuing right through."
JOHN I DENT CUP GRAND FINAL
Saturday: Royals v Wests at Viking Park, 3.25pm.
