Bendigo Advertiser | STRATHFIELDSAYE Storm coach Darryl Wilson faces a selection balancing act in the lead up to the BFNL finals.
The Storm have two games to play before a week off ahead of the second semi-final on September 12.
Star trio Sam Mildren, Lachlan Sharp and Tom Dowd, plus ruckman Harry Crone are expected to return from injury for this Saturday’s trip to Gardiner Reserve to tackle Gisborne, while key defenders Jayden Donaldson, Ben Lester and Ash Trollop need game time in the next fortnight after having limited preparations.
On top of that, classy midfielders Nick Smith and Matt Johnston look set to resume in the reserves this weekend after recovering from long-term injuries.
“Lachy Sharp, Tom Dowd and Sam Mildren have to get through training this week. If they’re not right we won’t play them because we don’t want to risk them,’’ Wilson said.
“We’ve got a few decisions to make because we need to keep playing Donaldson, Lester and Trollop as well.
“It’s hard because the players that have been in the seniors haven’t done anything wrong and we want to keep winning and building that momentum for the finals.”
Nick Smith’s return from a knee reconstruction is a potential bonus for the Storm.
The classy midfielder missed last year’s premiership and has done everything in his power to return to football this year.
“Nick’s coming from a long way back, but you would never rule him out playing senior footy in the finals because he is such a good player,’’ Wilson said.
