NEWLYN coach Kal Young may have played his last game for 2014 as a debilitating back injury continues to take its toll.
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Young told The Courier he was to have a procedure on Monday next week to try to fix the problem area, but admitted it was looking unlikely he would get back for another game this season.
“At this stage, I probably will (miss the year). I might get back for one or two games, but it’s one of those things where you’ve got to wait and see whether the injections help at all,” Young said.
“Before surgery, this is probably the last ditch. Generally it will work, but it comes down to how effective it is straight after the procedure.”
While his 2014 campaign hangs in the balance, Young is already looking forward after agreeing to another year in charge of the Cats.
The club has moved quickly to reappoint Young and his brother Will and Daniel Wehrung as assistants for the 2015 Central Highlands Football League season.
Kal and Will joined the club as a package deal during the off-season, when they replaced former joint coaches Adam Sewell and Chris Gardner. Wehrung then followed, arriving at the Cattery from the North Ballarat Roosters and Lake Wendouree.
Kal said it was important to give the club consistency in its coaching ranks moving forward, particularly to help develop the younger brigade coming through.
“To grow a club in terms of culture, you don’t want too many changes happening each year,” he said.
Newlyn president Simon Dwyer said the decision to keep all three on board was a “no brainer”.
“Kal was appointed with the first season guaranteed, with an option for further years once the season got under way and if both parties were happy with how things were progressing,” Dwyer said.
“We realise we are in a bit of a development stage after losing so many players last year, but the committee thought (Kal) was doing a great job along with the assistants.”