MYRTLEFORD is livid reigning Morris medallist Kristan Height is not in the Ovens and Murray team to take on Peninsula at Albury Sportsground tomorrow.
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Saints’ president Michael Quirk said the club was furious Height had been dropped when the league squad was cut to 25 on Tuesday.
Selectors last night named the final 22, with Wangaratta star Jamie Allan withdrawing and Nick Holman and Mitch Palmer emergencies.
Height also missed out last year when the O and M walloped Hampden by 125 points at Wangaratta.
He last played for the league in a loss to Peninsula two years ago.
Quirk, a former O and M selector, said his success-starved club wanted as many of its players to be given a chance at league level.
He said Height wasn’t a one-trick pony and could be dangerous up forward, given the mid-field talent in the squad.
“He is a big-time performer,” Quirk said.
He said Height had kicked four of the O and M’s six goals when Peninsula crunched the O and M two years ago.
“His omission hasn’t gone unnoticed up here,” he said.
Quirk said Height should be in the squad ahead of former inter-league coach Matt Pendergast, who played his first match last round after a long injury lay-off.
Pendergast wasn’t in the original squad, but was called up this week.
League coach Brendan Fevola and his selectors have also come under fire for leaving Corowa-Rutherglen key defender Al Austin out of the initial squad of 42 players.
Saint co-coach Leigh Corcoran said he was “just very disappointed for Kristan”.
“He’s been keen to represent the league in the last two years and has not been selected,” he said.
“Surely there is room in the side for the reigning Morris medallist?
“I have enormous respect for the players in the side and don’t want to take away from them.
“It just appears there are inconsistencies in selection — some of the players haven’t played much this season.
“Kristan has missed one game due to a family wedding.
“I understand the selection process is difficult with so many great players, but his omission is a shock and doesn’t make sense to me.”
Peninsula coach Troy Shannon said last night he was surprised Height had been overlooked.
“Kristan can play for us if he likes,” Shannon said.
“He’s a very, very good player and was one of the players we had spoken about.”
