SOUTH Warrnambool is facing a selection dilemma with teenager Matt Sully turning his back on a TAC Cup final with North Ballarat Rebels in favour of the Roosters' second semi-final clash with arch rival Warrnambool.
The 17-year-old, who made his VFL senior debut last month with North Ballarat, informed both the Rebels and Roosters on Monday night he wanted to finish the season with South.
Sully, who has played five senior games with South this season, including a six-goal performance in his first match in round four against Camperdown as a forward, would further bolster the Roosters' attack and add flexibility.
But after South defeated Terang Mortlake by 50 points in last Saturday's qualifying final, selectors are facing a tough call this week. Their decision is complicated by the form of incumbents Billy Nicholls (six goals), Toby Lee (four) and defensive forward Isaac Hughson (five) who kicked 15 of South's 19 goals last Saturday.
Kol said Sully had not enjoyed his footy this year, having suffered a thigh injury in the pre-season.
"He had high expectations of what he would put out," he said.
"It started off sour with the injury."
He said Sully was looking forward to playing alongside his mates.
"He's definitely going to be considered (for Saturday)," Kol said.
North Ballarat Rebels regional manager Phil Partington said discussions were continuing about where Sully would play on Saturday. The Rebels face powerhouse Dandenong Stingrays in a knockout final at Princess Park in Melbourne.
"Matt's got some big decisions to make about his footy," he said.
Partington said Sully had played in a variety of roles with the Rebels, across half-forward, on the wing and at centre half-back as he auditioned for a spot on an AFL list.
He said Sully had performed when promoted to the VFL seniors as a 23rd player for the match against Sandringham on August 14.
"He played pretty well and showed he has a bright future."
Adding to the selection dilemmas for South is ruckman Tom Crosby and defender Ben Mugavin, who will be given until the end of the week to prove their fitness for the battle with Warrnambool.
Crosby (hand) and Mugavin (hamstring) missed last Saturday's qualifying final but would be considered in South's best 21.
Kol said the Roosters would not take any chances with players under injury clouds.
"I'm not a roll-the-dice sort of bloke," Kol said. "We obviously want as many fit people as we can but I'm not going to rush people back."
He said the club had taken the same view all year and it was not about to change in the finals, especially with the Roosters guaranteed another match if they failed to win on Saturday.
He said Crosby, who suffered a hand injury in the round 18 win over Camperdown, was seeking medical reports about how much it had healed.
"We'll assess him later in the week, I would doubt he will play but if not this week, definitely the next," Kol said.
"He is one of those blokes who just wants to play. It would be fantastic to get him back, but if we don't have him, he would be right for the next week."
He said Mugavin would also be assessed later in the week but he wanted to make sure players were recovered so they didn't suffer recurrences and then miss the rest of the finals.
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