The Standard |
KOROIT coach Adam Dowie last night declared midfielder Levi Nagorcka and defender Tim Carter would play in tomorrow’s preliminary final against North Warrnambool Eagles despite the pair playing less than a half last week because of injuries.
Their inclusions were only one aspect of the selection surprises at Victoria Park last night, with the Saints adding three players — two with a combined four senior games between them this season.
Teenagers Matthew Speed and Tom Mugavin, who have both played just two senior games this year, were brought in to make a five-man interchange bench, alongside dynamic midfielder James Gow, who returns from TAC Cup duties with North Ballarat Rebels. Assistant coach Mathew Buck was omitted.
Dowie said the Saints would finalise their line-up tomorrow morning but Gow’s return was a big plus.
His run and carry through the midfield will be important for the Saints.
Dowie confirmed Nagorcka — who he said could have played in the second half last week despite his shoulder popping out in the second quarter — would play. Carter, who had a heavily strapped shoulder last week, was reportedly suffering a hamstring issue and did not play after half-time.
Dowie revealed Mugavin was set to play his first game since round five, which was coincidentally against the Eagles.
“Tom Mugavin, he’s pretty flexible. He can play small forward, wing, half-back. That’s probably what’s got him a game,” Dowie said.
“We probably picked him on potential. His form has been OK. He’s pretty highly regarded in terms of what he’s promised.
“We wouldn’t pick him unless we thought he had the potential to be a game turner, a bit of X-factor. That’s what we need.”
Dowie said Carter and Nagorcka “coming up” took pressure off a decision on veteran Chris McLaren who suffered a quad injury in the qualifying win over the Eagles and missed last week.
While the Saints are weighing up their final 21 for the cut-throat match at Reid Oval, the Eagles opted for a settled team.
Coach Bernard Moloney said it was the first time this season the Eagles had named an unchanged side, rewarding those who survived a bruising encounter against Terang Mortlake in last Sunday’s first semi-final at Koroit.
But the Eagles could yet make a late change. Midfielder Nathan Murphy, who tweaked a hamstring in the lead-up to the qualifying final, trained strongly last night.
He said the Eagles were likely to make a decision tonight but might wait until tomorrow.
Moloney said the Eagles were upbeat after their five-point win over Terang Mortlake.
“I think the guys hit the ice baths and the beach every night this week. The leadership group has done all that. They’ve set the standard.”
In other training news, grand finalist Warrnambool went through its paces last night with midfielder Darcy Graham taking significant steps to overcoming a hamstring injury that kept him out of last Saturday’s second semi-final win over Koroit.
Coach Scott Carter said Graham was a chance to play next week.
“He’s progressing well and started kicking the ball,” he said.
“I’m pleasantly surprised with his progress.”
The Blues will train tomorrow morning for an hour before watching the club’s under 18½ and reserves do battle in preliminary finals.