Koroit, Portland's pre-season match simulation beneficial for both clubs

The two Hampden league clubs played four 15-minute quarters at the Saints' Victoria Park base on Wednesday night.

Three-time Koroit premiership coach Chris McLaren said the 12-versus-12 contest focused on the offensive side of the game.

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"(We asked our players) what part of it they miss the most and essentially most of them missed having some fun and competing," he said.

"There was no scoring - sometimes we'd kick it in from a goal, sometimes we'd go back to the middle.

"If you got a stoppage it was 'all right, Portland ball or Koroit ball'.

"It is awfully hard to defend so you just park your defensive element of the game for a while."

Portland coach Jarrod Holt wanted his players to embrace the fun side of the contest too.

"We've done one with Port Fairy and Koroit's done with Port Fairy too," he said.

"I have been really happy with it. The boys have gone from doing a pre-season last year to not playing footy to doing another pre-season and they haven't had a game in that time.

"I think just purely to get some enjoyment out of having something a little bit physical and a little bit competitive just to raise their motivation and let them know the season is getting pretty close has been really good.

"That's why everyone does it - to play games. I am sure they don't just do it to run around doing training drills."

Koroit - aiming for a seventh consecutive premiership - was without experienced players Brett Harrington, Tim Martin, Jayden Watson, Dallas Mooney and Tim McPherson.

Sneaky forward Tim McIntyre, who has overcome a serious knee injury, was in Geelong and missed but is on track for the Saints' first practice match against Ballarat league club Redan on March 13.

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McLaren has earmarked a number of players challenging for a spot in Koroit's best 21 including Paddy O'Sullivan, Sam Cozens, Paddy Haberfield and recruit Dylan McCutcheon, who has returned from Bendigo.

"Our two boys at the (GWV) Rebels - Tommy Baulch and Mac Petersen - have been awesome this summer," he said.

"We are expecting not to see much of them at Koroit (during NAB League season) to be honest.

"Will Petersen has played a lot of reserves footy the last few years and has been really good in the summer and is someone we'd be looking at to play too.

"He probably should have played 15 or 20 senior games already but just through circumstance he hasn't."

Jack O'Sullivan is another eyeing senior selection after a "horror run of injuries".

"He is someone who debuted three or four years ago and could've played 50 or 60 games by now and would've - he's more than good enough," McLaren said.

"He debuted, played one game late in the year and has basically been injured since."

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