MYRTLEFORD’S finals hopes have received a boost with Frazer Dale cleared by Footscray to spend the rest of the season with the Saints.
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The decision by the Bulldogs means Dale will comfortably reach the nine matches required by players on VFL lists to qualify for Ovens and Murray finals provided he gets through the last five games uninjured.
Dale has already played six matches for his home club this season but the nine-match qualification rule means his Footscray and Myrtleford teammate Hugh Wales faces a fight to play finals with the Saints.
Wales, who has played four matches for Myrtleford, remains in the mix to play finals with the Bulldogs despite not having lined up in the VFL at all this season.
Wales returned from almost three months on the sidelines with stress fractures in his foot against Albury last round and the Saints will be desperately hoping his injury-interrupted season plays in their favour at Footscray’s selection table.
Dale, who broke his leg and cracked two ribs when he was kicked by a horse in August last year, said he still had aspirations to play in the VFL but was thrilled to be spending the rest of the season with Myrtleford.
“I missed a fair chunk of pre-season and have had a few hamstring and groin niggles following on from the injury last year,” the former Carlton player said.
“It’s been an injury-hit season and I haven’t really got a good run at it.
“They just said I was better off spending the rest of the season at Myrtleford to get some form and confidence and come back for pre-season ready to go. They they still want me to come to training and do everything normally as if I’m on their list and playing for them.
“VFL is still something I want to do, especially coming back from this knee injury, it’s been a pretty long road … there was a lot of time spent in the rehab group.
“It’s a win-win situation because I’m happy to play at home with how we’re going.
“I’m really looking forward to these last five or six games, each game I’ve played with Myrtleford I’ve felt better.”
The Saints are fifth on the ladder, six points clear of Wangaratta, and face a big match at Lavington on Saturday.
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
