Wangaratta Rovers have produced one of the biggest selection bombshells of recent years by naming a player for Saturday's virtual elimination final against Wodonga Raiders who's had just one game in six years.
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Ash Pollard was a pacy midfielder for the Hawks in 2012-13, but gave the sport away to focus on his 800m running, while he's also been studying at university in recent years.
He played his first game since then in the club's reserve grade loss to Lavington on July 6.
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Pollard's inclusion shows just how highly he is rated, particularly given the importance of the away game.
The pair is locked in a battle for the only remaining spot, sitting on 24 points apiece.
Raiders hold a percentage lead of 13.73, but has a slightly tougher run home, facing two top five outfits in Myrtleford and Albury, while the Hawks have just the one in Wangaratta.
Pollard is one of three big inclusions, with Richmond VFL player Charlie Thompson and boom youngster Nick Murray also back.
Raiders have made the two changes in Luke Hodgkin and Declan Everett.
Meanwhile, grand finalists Albury and Wangaratta have rolled out the big guns as expected.
Wangaratta captain Michael Newton is back after missing a month with a hamstring complaint, joining defenders Mark Anderson and Ben Douthie, along with ruckman Zac Leitch and coach Luke Morgan.
The premiers have named Daniel Cross, Chris Hyde, Kieran Ellis and Jake Gaynor for Saturday's game at Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval.
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