IF SPORT is about emotion, no one shows it better than Killarney Cutters footballer Kent Wallace.

He has overcome meningococcal disease, a partially detached retina a fortnight ago and an operation on his ankle to be part of the Cutters' victory in Saturday's Border Rugby League grand final.

After the Border Rugby League final on Saturday, league president Neil O'Connor paid tribute to the Inglewood club for agreeing to extend player numbers to 23 so Kent could play.

"Inglewood also had a player they wanted in their team," he said.

Despite contracting meningococcal disease in his youth, Kent plays for the Cutters with specially made headgear to protect one eye.

"The Cutters had the headgear made for me with the club emblem," he said.

"I wear it because I can't see out of one eye in bright light and can't afford a bad knock."

He suffered a partially detached retina in the semi-final victory against Tenterfield and went to his optometrist in Brisbane

Kent was cleared to play in the preliminary final in Goondiwindi but the Cutters team had been selected.

"I was devastated not to be in the 22 for the grand final but had no complaints with the selection," Kent said. A phone call to Inglewood solved the problem.

He is the only player from the two Killarney premierships - reserve grade in 2009 and A-grade on Saturday.

"This is a life highlight along with my marriage to my wife Bonnie," he said.