Coach’s hardest call on himself

Selection calls are among the hardest things coaches have to do but Warragul coach Steve Kidd said he knew he was doing the right thing when he left himself out of Saturday’s team for the season defining clash with Traralgon.

Kidd told the players before training on Thursday night that he wouldn’t be taking the field.

He said he felt a lot more positive once he’d reached the decision and was able to concentrate on coaching the side on Thursday night without taking part in the drills.

However, Kidd admitted to being a bit more nervous watching from the coaches’ bench than from on the ground.

Equally as big a coach’s call would have been the one he made to include an Under 18 player, Nathan Tutton, to make his debut in such an important game and against such a strong opponent in Traralgon.

At game’s end Kidd’s decisions were more than vindicated.

When appointed coach of Warragul late in 2014 after a distinguished career at Narre Warren Kidd’s intention was to probably play on with the largely young group last year and then hang up the boots.

However, as this season neared he felt his on-ground presence would still be of benefit at times.

With Warragul coming through injury free from Saturday and the advances the team has made he may have played his last game.