Warrnambool and District league coaches pick trickiest individual opponent

One Warrnambool and District league coach joked that all 22 opposition players cause him nightmares.

But there are some footballers that strike fear in coaches more than others.

The Standard asked the 11 clubs which rival player caused them the most concern.

Versatile running players, a dangerous forward and a dominant ruckman are among the list.

Mark Clissold (Kolora-Noorat utility)

Allansford coach Ben Price said Clissold's versatility made him hard to match-up on.

"He moves from the midfield to the forward line and then plays as a key forward," he said.

"He's hard to tag because he changes positions a lot.

"You've got to have a tagger that plays as a tall defender and a midfielder.

"He's got a fairly big aerobic capacity."

Mark Clissold (Kolora-Noorat utility)

Dogs mentor Mick Phillips said Clissold had been causing him headaches for years.

"He always seem to gets his four or five (goals) when we play them," he said.

"We seem to always run into trouble with him."

Jason Rowan (Merrivale forward)

Bombers coach Danny Chatfield said Rowan was the biggest nightmare for his team.

"It's his ability to read the play, he demands the footy," he said.

"And he's a goalkicker, which wins you games."

Chatfield said his strategy was to try and stop the ball getting in Rowan's hands.

"It's always through the mids to stop the supply because he's so dominant," he said.

Blair McCutcheon (Merrivale midfielder)

Playing coach Ben Walsh believes Merrivale's prized mid-season recruit is the toughest to handle.

"He gave us a few headaches earlier in the year," he said.

"It's his running ability and running power.

"Obviously he came from a pretty successful club.

"He's probably one of the best runners in the competition I would suggest."

Walsh played with McCutcheon at Koroit in the Hampden league.

Jason Moloney (Kolora-Noorat midfielder)

Merrivale playing coach Jason Rowan believes the Power's tall wingman is the source of headaches.

He said Moloney gave the Power great drive off half-back and used the ball well.

"He's definitely one of the trickiest players to match-up on," he said.

"He's a big fella that plays the wing role really well.

"It takes a bit of time and work to work out how to stop him."

Jason Moloney (Kolora-Noorat midfielder)

Nirranda co-coach Shane Threlfall said Moloney always plays well when the Blues meet the Power.

"He's got good skills and he's their link-up man," he said.

"He hits his targets and is very clever.

"I think he probably plays well ever week against everyone.

"He's certainly one of the players we need to watch."

Jason Rowan, Jason Moloney (Merrivale forward, Kolora-Noorat midfielder)

Warriors coach Nick Sheehan said Rowan is one of the best players in league this season.

"He's an experienced campaigner," he said.

Sheehan said Rowan had kicked some impressive goals against his side this year.

"He'd be close to winning the league medal (best and fairest)," he said.

The Warriors mentor said Moloney was another nightmare.

"It's just the way he finds space," he said.

"He gets out and away he goes."

Jason Moloney (Kolora-Noorat midfielder)

Bulldogs playing coach Chris Bant said Kolora-Noorat's tall wingman was a handful.

"He's probably the best player in the league in the way he controls that team and uses the footy," he said.

"He's probably six (foot) two or three and playing as a midfielder.

"You don't have too many of them around."

Marcus Hickey, Jason Rowan (Timboon Demons ruckman, Merrivale forward)

South Rovers mentor Adam Matheson said his team had to adjust when it faced Timboon Demons' playing coach and ruckman.

"We have to set up our onball structures defensively due to his dominance," he said.

Matheson said Rowan was a backman's worst nightmare.

"He has speed, is strong overhead, is good off the ground and has the capacity to take a hanger."

Ben Fraser (Kolora-Noorat forward)

Creek coach Peter Timms said the Power's versatile tall could play at both ends of the ground.

"Every club is looking for that mobile big bloke," he said.

"He's a great mark and great kick.

"He certainly would fit into our side nicely."

Jason Rowan (Merrivale forward)

Dees leader Marcus Hickey believes the Tigers playing coach is the man to stop.

"He's great in the air and at ground level," he said.

"Also a great finisher."

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