SPRINGBANK has named Bill Driscoll to return for the Central Highlands Football League grand final rematch against Bungaree on Sunday.
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The GJ Gardner Tigers named an extended interchange of six players on Thursday night, with Driscoll slotting into the engine room.
Before training, Springbank coach Terry Simpson said Driscoll more than likely wouldn’t return from the injury that kept him out of the side that beat Creswick last Saturday. However, he was selected as one of three ins alongside midfielder Drew Tyler and ruck option Darcy Osborne.
Simpson said his team had played good football following the disappointing loss to Beaufort in round two and believed the heat was on the Demons this weekend. “I’m not going to focus on what they’re doing. We’ll worry about our game. They are obviously a strong side – they’re undefeated, so all the pressure, I guess, is back on them.”
Bungaree has made one change to the team that accounted for Daylesford last round, with defender Tristan Simons back from a one-week spell due to a shoulder injury.
Demons coach Heath Pyke, who remains sidelined with a wrist problem, said he wasn’t reading anything into his team’s grand final win over the Tigers last season.
“I think if you look at both line-ups, they are vastly different to the ones that ran out grand final day last year and both sides are coached by different people,” he said.
Pyke said it was a massive game for both sides and he believed the Tigers looked to be a better outfit on paper this season after recruiting in areas they were lacking during 2014.
Bungaree sits on top of the ladder, while the Tigers are sixth, having only lost to the Crows.
PREDICTION: Bungaree to remain unbeaten.
tim.oconnor@fairfaxmedia.com.au