How one club overcame a selection nightmare

NO STRESS: Nirranda coach Brayden Harkness has praised his club's ability to fill sides despite 22 absences.

Twenty-two injured or unavailable players. It's most coach's worst nightmare.

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That was the scenario facing Warrnambool and District league powerhouse Nirranda at the selection table on Thursday night but somehow two sides have been filled.

A wedding has taken several players from Brayden Harkness' senior side while general unavailability has also run rampant.

But the Blues found a way. Veteran defender Luke Parsons has been recalled for his 300^th match while midfielder Dylan Lees, youngster Kal Cottee, Tyler Coates, ruck Hugh Giblin and Jono McLaren will step up.

We've named 44 players and that means there's basically a third team that's just sitting out and not playing (week-to-week).
- Brayden Harkness

Jason and Danny Lee are out while their cousin, Danny Craven, will also miss. Hardworking midfielder Jack Spokes, tall Bronte McCann and ruckman Inoke Ratu are also out in a major blow for the club's bout with rival Old Collegians.

But Harkness said the effort to fill two sides under duress was a testament to the club's depth and commitment. "I think there's six between seniors and reserves heading to Danny (Craven's) brother's wedding. I think there's a few who are planning to play in the ressies and head off after that too," he said. "We have a few other guys away for other events too. We talked about it, it's a real testament to the club and the environment that we've still been able to get two full sides.

"We've named 44 players and that means there's basically a third team that's just sitting out and not playing (week-to-week). I know there'd be a lot of reserves coaches around the district and it'd be their worst nightmare trying to find 10 or 15 blokes to fill a side.

"We've been able to pick up the phone and have blokes jump out and have a game. That's a testament to the club."

Harkness said Nirranda valued its rivalry with Old Collegians, a match which has become one of the showpiece games on the league's fixture.

"We've built up a really strong rivalry and we've had some really good games over the years," he said.

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