Glenelg set to name Josh Scott and Carl Nicholson for second semi-final against Port Adelaide
Glenelg coach Mark Stone is expected to gamble with two players who have missed much of the season because of injury in its big second semi-final against old rival Port at Adelaide Oval.
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Glenelg is expected to gamble on the fitness of gun forward Josh Scott and Carl Nicholson and take them into the second semi-final clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
The pair has had little football this season, but coach Mark Stone was extremely encouraged with their efforts in a hectic 90-minute workout at Adelaide Oval on Monday night.
Stone admitted there was an element of risk naming them in the side, but they had proved they were “good to go”.
“Carl is a natural runner, is fit and has come to hand really quickly,” Stone said. “He was able to handle footballs while injured, whereas Josh could do a lot of running.
“Josh trained exceptionally well on Monday and I was really pleased with his marking under competitive conditions. We had guys defending him and he marked strongly.
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“There is an element of risk in selecting them when they have not played a lot of footy in the past six to eight weeks, there is always a risk attached to that.
“What we do know with Josh is he is a fierce competitor and even if things are not going his way he will fight and give everything he has. They both give a coach a lot of confidence to pick a guy and see what he can produce.”
Scott broke his arm in Round 3 and had surgery to insert a plate. However, another small fracture was discovered in the arm after he was hurt in a tackle in just his third game back. He returned to action in the final round, while Nicholson, who had Achilles surgery after round 6, has played the past two games.
Port coach Matthew Lokan must decide whether to alter the line-up which produced a highly impressive final quarter to conquer Adelaide in the qualifying final after regaining Aidyn Johnson from suspension.
“We will look at that later in the week, whether he plays,” Lokan said. “We have got to make sure the balance of the team is right and we get the right mix of contracted guys with the AFL-listed guys.
“Glenelg is a good side and has been the most in-form side all year. We are in good form as well and have won 10 out of our past 11. We are excited by the opportunity and if we play at our best we are a chance to win.”
The winner will earn a grand final berth, while the loser meets the winner of the first semi-final battle between the Crows and Norwood in the preliminary final.