Wandin’s mega boost on eve of Outer East finals as Aaron Mullett returns
The Bulldogs have let an ex-AFL player off the leash while another forward fired off a career-best 10-goal haul in the last round.
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He was sidelined for three months.
But Aaron Mullett is back for Wandin, ready to ignite the Bulldogs’ finals campaign in Outer East league Premier division.
The ex-AFL Blue and Kangaroo made a cautious but impressive return from a hamstring injury on Saturday, kicking four goals and playing about 50 percent game time against Gembrook Cockatoo in the last round of the season.
“We got him through a half, we were pretty mindful of managing the load first up,” Wandin coach Nick Adam said.
“The plan had been in place for a month. He was probably itching to go a little bit earlier than we ended up letting him off the leash.
“He hit the scoreboard, did what he needed to do coming back from a significant injury; ensure he got a game in before we went into finals.
“He pulled up really well and feels good about himself. Being back with the boys is pretty important. We look forward to having him over the next month.”
Mullett started the season on fire before tearing his hamstring against Woori Yallock on May 20.
He’d kicked 26 goals in five games.
Mullett did his rehab dutifully as Wandin kept winning to cement a top-two spot and establish itself as the main challenger to reigning premier Narre Warren.
“The opportunity to be part of a finals campaign meant he was really mindful of making sure he was ready to go,” Adam said.
Mullett’s return on Saturday was overshadowed by a stunning 10-goal performance by his teammate Jordan Jaworski.
“He had a day out, he couldn’t miss,” Adam said of Jaworski.
“He got a lot of good looks but he’s a very skilful footballer and he took advantage of the opportunities.
“He only kicked a couple of points for the day and one of them was running into an open goal when he hit the post.
“And we pulled him with 10 minutes to go so he could have kicked more.”
Jaworski has had an excellent season since joining Wandin from Lilydale.
He’s kicked 36 goals and featured in the best players on seven occasions.
“He’s a ripper,” Adam said.
“He works hard, he loves his football. He puts as much into getting the most out of himself as anyone I’ve coached, doing extra craft sessions, recovery.
“He loves his footy, he’s really competitive…he sets himself high standards and he got rewards on the weekend.”
Wandin notched up its highest score of the season as it put Gembrook to the sword, 28.11 (179) to 4.9 (33).
Chayce Black, Clinton Johnson, Patty Bruzzese and Damien Furey were also named in the best.
Gembrook Cockatoo gave Michael Firrito a standing ovation as he left the field for the final time after retiring as a player.
The former North Melbourne player will coach Gembrook next season.
Wandin will face Woori Yallock in the qualifying final on Saturday.
Pakenham faces Upwey Tecoma in Sunday’s elimination final.
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