TERANG Mortlake last night rolled the dice by naming three midfield stars to return from injury in tomorrow’s qualifying final against South Warrnambool at Mortlake’s D.C. Farran Oval.
The Bloods could not resist the impressive form of Joel Moloney and Tom McKenzie at training this week, naming them after extended periods out with thigh and groin complaints. The silky-skilled Pat Heffernan, who was rested after a calf problem, also returns.
They could not consider midfielder Nathan Couch or youngster Brett Molan, who are both suffering from the flu, while Ben Grinter was forced to make way.
Coach Damian O’Connor described the inclusions as “massive”.
“To get another three Hampden league representative players in is a massive boost to add to the confidence we got last week,” he said.
“Pat could have played last week but we wanted to rest him. We thought Tommy McKenzie was gone for the year but he pulled up really well after Tuesday and trained well tonight. Joel Moloney trained the house down tonight so we couldn’t ignore him.”
O’Connor said Moloney, who has been training hard away from the ground, had not been inconvenienced by the troublesome quad complaint that had restricted him to a half of footy in the past month.
“At least they are getting a run under their belts, we don’t want to do it next week.”
South Warrnambool made three changes for the showdown, recalling 200-centimetre ruckman Jordan Dillon from North Ballarat’s VFL reserves side in place of the injured Tom Crosby (hand).
Defender Ben Mugavin (slight hamstring) and Brad Pattison (omitted) were left out, clearing the way for tough defender Trent Harman (calf) and elusive forward Isaac Hughson (soreness) to return.
Speaking after training at Mack Oval last night, coach Nigel Kol said his Roosters were excited about their first finals campaign since the club’s 2006 premiership.
Defending premier Koroit will finalise its 21 after training tonight but it has been bolstered with the return of three key players for Sunday’s elimination final against Cobden at the Friendly Societies’ Park.
Co-captain Todd McLean (soreness) returns to the half-back line, Ben Goodall (ill) to the midfield and Ben Dobson, who looms as a game-breaker, also comes back after a stint with Geelong in the VFL.
Teenager Levi Geebung is the only confirmed omission but coach Joe McLaren knows he will have to disappoint two others as he trims the bench from five to three.
Cobden made four changes to the team that defeated North Warrnambool Eagles, bringing in half-back Stephen Dickinson, rover Tom Watson and utility Tim Horan who were rested because of soreness last week while midfielder Sam Holloway has overcome a persistent ankle problem.
Daniel Watson, Joel Wallace, Jacob Roberts and Jamie Barry made way.
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