WARRNAMBOOL has regained its Mr Fix-It a week out from the Hampden league finals series.
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Premiership player Andrew McCarthy will slot into the Blues’ line-up against Cobden on Saturday after overcoming a serious hand injury.
Blues coach John Cook said McCarthy, who spent six weeks on the sidelines, was a valuable addition.
McCarthy will split ruck duties with Dan Weymouth in a bid to nullify Maskell Medallist Levi Dare.
“’Pies’ has played his best football across the half-back line, so we might give him a run there at some stage,” Cook said.
“In 2013 he was one of the most valuable players in the league because he would take the tap and then run back and fill a hole.”
Midfielder Jake O’Donnell (bruised foot) was also named for the final-round battle.
Luke McLeod (shoulder) and Andrew Schnerring (under 18) made way.
Warrnambool swingman Sam Cowling (foot) is in a race against time to be fit for the Blues’ premiership tilt.
“He had a run on Tuesday night – and didn’t get on the track tonight,” Cook said.
“It is going to take a bit of a miracle to get him over the line.”
Cobden named an unchanged line-up as it strives to snare a finals berth.
Bombers co-coach Wayne Robertson said his charges were eager to show their mettle after letting a 40-point half-time lead slip against North Warrnambool Eagles.
“It was the most disappointed I have seen them after a game, so hopefully it has an effect on us,” he said.
The son of South Warrnambool premiership coach Nigel Kol will make his senior debut for the Roosters against the Eagles.
Roosters mentor Mathew Buck said Noah Kol was a promising teenager who would play forward.
“He’s a skinny, wiry-type of kid but he’s got really good skills and finds the footy well too,” he said.
“I think the better standard of footy will suit him because he’s a good user and gets into the right spots.”
Dylan Lovell (under 18s) and Zacc Struth (unavailable) were also picked.
Ethan Harvey and Isaac Thomas will miss due to under 16 grand final commitments on Sunday, while a hamstring injury has cut Paddy Anderson’s season short.
Camperdown forward Eddie Lucas is in doubt for the remainder of the season after emergency surgery on his appendix.