Commonwealth Games selectors face tough call on Joseph Deng

THE dilemma of Joseph Deng is the biggest issue confronting Australian selectors ahead of the naming of the Commonwealth Games track and field team.

Joseph Deng. Picture: Jono Searle

THE dilemma of Joseph Deng is the biggest issue confronting Australian selectors ahead of the naming of the Commonwealth Games track and field team.

Deng came from nowhere to become a selection nightmare when he won the 800m B-Race on Saturday night in a time that was faster than the winner of the A-race.

A team of 111 will be officially named on Thursday, including 23 para-athletes.

The four-day selection trials on the Gold Coast saw 57 athletes automatically qualify, with 31 spots - which includes relays - to be selectors’ call.

Kenyan-born Deng, 19, is one of the most exciting talents in the country which he showed when he clocked 1min47.71sec to win the B-final.

Fellow Victorian Luke Mathews took out the national title in 1:45.90sec to earn automatic selection in the team along with second placegetter Joshua Ralph.

This bizarre scenario came about because Deng missed making the final after Thursday’s heats by just .29sec.

He’d finished second to Mathews in the heat but because it was slower than the four others on the night, he wasn’t one of the three next fastest to get through.

Joseph Deng may still score a Commonwealth Games spot. Picture: Jono Searle

The third discretionary spot in the 800m is what is causing the problems with Deng in the mix along with veteran Jeff Riseley who finished third in the A-race.

“That is a tricky one, that will be the crux of our discussion,” AA chairman of selectors Dion Russell said.

“There is a lot to go through with that one, we’ve already talked a lot about it and have thrown out some different scenarios.

“He’s got an A (standard time), three Bs, he’s got the quickest this weekend and I hear a lot of good stuff about him.

“Potential is written into the policy so if we think there is an athlete who is a strong medal chance who doesn’t meet the eligibility of an automatic, we have got the discretion to elevate them up the list.

“Also if we think they are a potential finalist for an Olympic or world champs or a top eight. If we think they are a really good talent, that can give them some more weighting.”

The team will include two 17-year-old’s with Ethiopian-born Oboya Bendere in the 400m and sprinter Riley Day (200m).

Australian team coach Craig Hilliard was confident his core medal chances for April were all on track.

Defending hurdles champion Sally Pearson is at the top of the list which includes Dani Stevens (discus), Kathryn Mitchell (javelin), Dane Bird-Smith (20km walk) and pole vaulter Kurtis Marschall.

“Overall I’m absolutely delighted,” Hilliard said. “You have some fears always because some athletes hadn’t presented themselves as there weren’t a lot of competitions leading in.

“But there are some really good things happening with some younger athletes who showed potential and who are now ramping it up again.

“Look at the men’s 100m, tell me the last time we had four or five guys sitting there in the final who’ve been running between 10.20 and 10.30.”

Jack Hale, who tweaked his hamstring in the 100m final which was won brilliantly by Trae Williams, will have an MRI scan on Monday. The initial diagnosis was positive and he will be selected in the 4x100m relay squad.

Olympic finalist Steve Solomon didn’t compete at the trials because of study commitments in America but is likely to still be selected given the lack of other options available.

“He’s had back issues and elected not to fly back from the States which we understood,” Hilliard said. “But he’s run some good races indoors over there and is fit and healthy.”

A decision on whether Australia has a men’s 4x400m relay team at the Games will be made in the coming days.

Originally published as Commonwealth Games selectors face tough call on Joseph Deng