Strathfieldsaye coach Darryl Wilson will consider shaking up the Storm’s forward structure for Saturday’s preliminary final clash with Golden Square.
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Wilson was unhappy with the Storm’s work forward of centre in last Saturday’s three-point loss to Eaglehawk in the second semi-final.
Brad Rohde and Josh Martyn look set to come into calculations in a bid to give the Storm an extra marking target.
Rohde was expected to play out of the goal square when he was recruited from Bridgewater at the end of 2016.
However, his 2017 home and away season was ruined by injury.
He played two senior games, kicking seven goals in total. The key position player has strung together a month of footy in the reserves to improve his match fitness.
Martyn has kicked 85 goals in 15 reserves games this year, including nine goals in the reserves second semi-final. He’s played four senior games in 2017, kicking six goals.
“It’s not all doom and gloom, that’s why you get the second chance. We had plenty of positive to come out of the second semi-final,’’ Wilson said.
“We play a nice, strong brand of footy, it’s just a matter of getting it done inside forward 50.
“We might look to make some structural changes. Brad Rohde and Josh Martyn kicked goals in the reserves. We’ll see how we go.”
The Storm could have to make at least one enforced change, with wingman Tom Dowd in doubt because of an ankle injury.
The left-footer injured the ankle in the first quarter of the second semi-final and didn’t return to action.
“We’ll give Tom every possible opportunity because he is a pretty important piece of the puzzle,’’ Wilson said.
“We’ve got guys who played really well in the reserves. The reserves had a 12-goal win in the second semi-final and they played some sensational footy. There’s plenty of scope there.”
Defenders Torin Petrie and Keelan Payne both played in the Storm’s qualifying final win over Golden Square, but were dropped for the second semi-final.
Preliminary final schedule: Football – Under-18: 10.50am – South Bendigo v Sandhurst. Reserves: 1pm – Sandhurst v Eaglehawk. Seniors: 3.10pm – Strathfieldsaye v Golden Square.
Netball – Under-17: 10.40am – Golden Square v Sandhurst. B-reserve: 12.10pm – Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat. B-grade: 1.30pm – Eaglehawk v South Bendigo. A-reserve: 2.50pm – Kangaroo Flat v Eaglehawk. A- grade: 4.10pm – Golden Square v Gisborne.