A LONG-running conundrum of finals footy is the selection dilemma of the returning injured star.
What percentage of fitness of the team’s best players is better than a fully fit fringe player?
Just as Richmond understandably did with their star Dusty Martin last Thursday night, Irymple too, when presented with this quandary, chose to select their underdone star Dan Coghlan for the high-stakes preliminary final against Ouyen United on Saturday.
While the Irymple selectors’ options were reduced when neither Jason Hura nor Jake Healy could shake their injury concerns, one suspects that co-coach Coghlan was always going to play once he had reassured all and sundry, including himself, that he was ready to return to the fray after enduring a midweek fitness test.
Fully fit and at his best, Coghlan is a match winner. However, Ouyen United have been considered a threat all year on the back of the sublime match winning abilities of their top-end players.
While the likes of Kaine Stevens, Dallas Willsmore and Cory Gregson have been able to drag many along to form a formidable Kangas outfit, one suspected that if Irymple could quell the influence of these players, it would go a long way towards securing victory.
Irymple used past games to go to school on how best to negate these match winners, and while both Stevens and Willsmore played serviceable games, they didn’t have their usual high impact, especially on the scoreboard. Put simply, Irymple’s match-ups and whole team defence worked in blunting United’s stars.
But to their credit, when their team most needed it, both Stevens and Willsmore were outstanding in the last quarter but ultimately couldn’t drag their team over the line.
Irymple is a team with many role players who often win games simply by being the more organised team. That said, they, too, have their share of game-breakers.
Tasked with an increased midfield role, Nick Mee gathered possessions at will, was explosive around the contest and ultimately proved to be the most influential player on the ground. His deeds were matchwinning.
As for Coghlan, his long layoff meant he was far from at his best.
He spent more time on the bench than most and played predominantly as a permanent forward rather than his customary role as a midfielder. But his sheer presence impacted the result of this game.
Demanding an astute match-up, Coghlan’s worth was evident as an on-field leader and as a cool head in the tenseness of the closing stages of this match.
Moreover, the full benefits of Coghlan’s inclusion may well play out this week when his experience and leadership will be vital in the grand-final clash with Wentworth.
