Winning one premiership is hard enough but what about two in a week?
One of the rarest doubles in the game is up for grabs this weekend with a lucky member of Box Hill Hawks premiership team certain to earn the call up to Hawthorn’s AFL grand final side.
The heartbreaking injury to Brendan Whitecross opens the door for either Jed Anderson, Jonathon Simpkin, Shane Savage, Taylor Duryea or Matt Spangher to fill the void.
And Box Hill coach Damian Carroll is staying out of the selection debate.
Speaking after Sunday’s 21-point triumph over a highly-fancied Geelong outfit, Carroll nominated an unlikely candidate.
“I’m not going to fall that one mate,” Carroll joked when asked who he was backing to fill the spot, instead he offered the name of non-Hawthorn listed midfielder and thus the ineligible Xavier Murphy.
Norm Goss medallist Simpkin put in arguably the most impressive audition with 26 disposals and two goals but Carroll said every member of the group played their part.
“I had a look a quick look at that stats and all the way through from Ryan Exon, our 23rd player, to Jonathon Simpkin, it was pretty even,” Carroll said.
“I thought him (Simkin), Savage, Duryea, Spangher and all those guys who have played senior footy this year did their chances no harm.”
To make sure they were cherry ripe if called upon, the game time of the group was monitored and restricted.
“It wasn’t too much of a concern because guys such as Jed Anderson and Matt Spangher haven’t played too much footy in recent weeks so it was more about being sensible with their rotations and making sure they played around about 80 per cent game time.”
If it was left to the crowd that poured into Etihad Stadium on Sunday, Spangher would almost be a guaranteed starter this weekend.
Every one of his 19 possessions and countless defensive acts were met with a large roar from the Hawks’ faithful, as their cult hero did everything he could to earn himself a recall.
The possibility of playing at the MCG in the biggest day on the football calendar was something Carroll said helped spur on his chargers.
“It can only help and I think it was great that no one was held over and four or five players out there were thinking they’re a chance.”
“It also means that four or five guys will have to be pretty sensible tonight and begin preparing for next week.”
According to Carroll, it was another group of players that were just as deserving of grand final glory.
Box Hill captain Daniel Pratt was one of handful of unlucky players left out of the Hawks’ final 22, joining Tom Gordon, Sam Cust and Mitch O’Donnell on the sidelines.
“There were definitely four or five very unlucky players who couldn’t get a game but I think they understand they were a big part of this,” Carroll said.
“Daniel has been massive part of our footy club over the past two years, and we all know that it’s a pretty big thing to miss a grand final but with all the guys we just have to make sure they feel a part of it.”
Last Modified on 25/09/2013 08:48