The midway leader of the Star Player award is now ineligible.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Albury United captain Caleb Martin accumulated his fifth yellow card of the season during the Greens’ gutsy 2-1 win against Wangaratta last weekend.
After round 11, Martin had polled 17 votes to be two clear of Myrtleford’s Jesse Stephens.
United coach Scott Kidd admitted Martin will be more disappointed he’s missing Sunday’s clash against Albury Hotspurs at Jelbart Park than the fact he is out of the running for the league’s highest individual honour.
“There’s no doubt he’s been brilliant, but it’s a challenge now for the 11 this Sunday to show what they’ve got without him being there,” Kidd said.
“He would have missed Sunday with injury anyway, so the timing is reasonably good.
“He plays on the edge and I don’t try restrict that too much because then he’s not the same player.
“I’ve always said that about players that are hard at it, you’ve got to let them be the footballers they are, that’s just what comes with the territory.
“I think it’s the same with all my blokes, whatever they bring to the side, I encourage them to play the way that feels right for them and back themselves.”
On top of the absence of Martin, the Greens will also be without rising star Seb Dalitz, while Aidan Rees and Jonny Harkin have to prove their fitness.
“We look at that as a positive and see it as an opportunity for everyone else to step up,” Kidd said.
“The people we’ll bring in are the kids coming out of the thirds for the last couple of years.
“This year’s team is on top in the threes, so we’ll use what we’ve got.
“Myles Carey comes in, he’s 17, and Oliver Bradford is 19, so they’re the type of guys that we’re looking at.
“Jonny Harkin has been brilliant at centre back since we moved him there, but he’s had a sore hammy this week, so we’re hoping he gets up, but if he doesn’t we’ll find another young bloke to come in and do a job for us.
“Sam Mason is over in the States as well, so we could be four down from our best starting lineup.
“We’ve won at Cobram on the road, we’ve won at Wang on the road, but this week will test us with a few out.”
Victory for United will move them 14 points ahead of the ninth-placed Hotspurs and all but secure a berth in the cup finals.
Albury City hosts Cobram, Twin City faces a tough trip to Myrtleford, Boomers will start favourites against St Pats, while Wangaratta should bounce back against Wodonga Diamonds.
Melrose has the bye.
- You can now receive updates straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here