TERANG Mortlake last night produced two selection smokeys as it fights to avoid being eliminated in straight games from consecutive finals series.
The Bloods named four fresh faces for Sunday’s cut-throat first semi-final against defending premier Koroit, including a mature-age debutant.
Mid-season recruit, 26-year-old utility Jeff Younger, was named a wing for his first senior game with the Bloods.
Younger, an electrician who works on the Warrnambool hospital redevelopment alongside coach Damian O’Connor, has been brought in to spark Terang Mortlake at either end of the ground after it suffered a 50-point loss to South Warrnambool in last week’s qualifying final.
Younger was cleared from the Picola and District league in the Shepparton region two days before the clearance window closed at the end of June.
O’Connor said Younger was promoted on the back of outstanding form in the reserves. In seven games with the club, he was named in the best four times.
“He’s a hard nut,” O’Connor said.
Premiership coach Matthew Irving, who has not played seniors since sustaining a serious ankle injury in round one, was named on an extended interchange bench alongside young ruckman Zac Pickett, while Nathan Couch was named in a back pocket.
Half-forward Xavier Reicha (hairline fracture of his wrist) and Trent Lenehan were left out.
O’Connor said the Bloods would not finalise their team until Sunday, saying it depended on weather conditions and the state of the Friendly Societies’ Park surface, which is expected to be hit with forecast rain.
Their opponent Koroit was unchanged with youngsters Drew O’Grady and Ryan Lenehan named on an extended bench.
Young defender Sam Gleeson was again unable to be considered because of an ankle injury but coach Joe McLaren hoped he would be available should the Saints progress to next week’s preliminary final.
Minor premier Warrnambool made two changes to the side that defeated Port Fairy two weeks ago for its second semi-final showdown with arch rival South Warrnambool at Gardens Oval tomorrow.
The Blues recalled midfielders Brad Bull and Brendan Moore, while Liam Sheppard and Brady Hall were considered unlucky to miss out.
The Roosters, on the back of six consecutive wins, added young gun Matthew Sully to the side that outplayed Terang Mortlake last week.
Sully, who earlier this week turned his back on a TAC Cup final with North Ballarat Rebels, was named on a wing.
Coach Nigel Kol said he would wait until tomorrow morning before trimming the 22-man squad by one with a “couple of blokes” to be assessed.
The Roosters have the best record against Warrnambool this season, coming away with a draw and a 39-point win.
Blues coach Adam Dowie made a play for underdog status, suggesting South’s run home made it the form team of the competition despite finishing four wins behind Warrnambool in third place.
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