North Queensland wrecking ball Coen Hess has declared himself an almost certain starter for next week's NRL grand final qualifier against the Sydney Roosters.
Hess finished the Cowboys' rousing semi-final upset victory over Parramatta on Saturday night on the sideline due to a knee injury.
After copping a blow to his right knee late in the first half, Hess returned at halftime however came from ANZ Stadium in the 66th minute of the 24-16 win.
The Cowboys continued to defy the odds to set up a preliminary final showdown with the Roosters and Hess said he was confident of being right to run onto Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
"It's all good," he told AAP.
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"I think it's only minor and it was just precautionary that I came off and got it checked out.
"I'll ice it up and I'm pretty confident I'll be good for next week."
After debuting for Queensland in State of Origin II, a maiden grand final appearance would cap a monster breakout year for the tearaway forward.
Hess, 20, has provided the Cowboys with tremendous strike value and carry coming off the bench this year and emphasised his value when he ran onto a neat Te Maire Martin inside ball to cross for his 13th try of the year midway through the second half.
He said he came off as a precaution and was champing at the bit to take on the Rooosters.
"I got a knock in the first half and then in the second half in a tackle I got a knock and did the same sort of thing and it just re-aggravated it a bit," Hess said.
"In the second half my mind wasn't even on it. That's a good sign.
"I'm confident."
