THIS is a flashback to AFL game days of the past – a curtain-raiser filled with clubs’ emerging stars.
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It is an initiative that North Ballarat Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald has praised – drawing on the past to keep moving the Victorian Football League forward.
The Selkirk Roosters will meet Carlton’s Northern Blues at Etihad Stadium on Saturday under traditional game-
day scheduling. Once their final siren has sounded, Carlton’s AFL team and Greater Western Sydney will be warming up on the ground.
Those eager and early-arriving Blues can see for their own eyes the progress of key big man Matt Kreuzer in his second match this season, working back from a foot injury.
They can watch how the six players axed after the Blues’ AFL loss last week respond, including the exciting Dylan Buckley.
The Selkirk Roosters are set to field up to seven North Melbourne-listed players.
FitzGerald said that, importantly, this curtain-raiser was great exposure and experience for the region’s home-grown talent.
“The advantage of the VFL is that we get to play against quality opposition at some magnificent venues – Etihad Stadium is top of the cake,” he said.
“Players should start to feel the atmosphere as people start coming into the stadium.
“More and more feedback from football fans is that they want to add to the match-day experience. Hopefully, this game is a sign of things to come.
“It is what used to be done in the past, but this is one of those things where you think, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to bring that back’.”
FitzGerald’s Roosters have a perfect record at Etihad Stadium – three
VFL premierships (2008-10) from three games – but in this round-
five clash, they are out to break a three-game losing streak.
Match preparations, just like in the grand final week, do not sway from routine for the AFL venue.
FitzGerald said the Roosters have focused on amending their game after an 82-point loss to Richmond at punt Road – tightening defence and sharpening their drive to hit targets up forward.
He has not raised with players the Roosters’ rec-
ord at Etihad Stadium. That is the past and this Roosters outfit is out to make its own history.
Experienced midfielder Lachie George was ruled out of action on Friday night. George did not pass a fitness test for a calf injury that the Roosters had been monitoring this week.
Shaun Lyle will come into the team in his place.