RUCK depth will be tested but Jackson Bowen is expected to aptly fill Orren Stephenson’s big shoes.
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This is how North Ballarat Roosters have trained him. Specifically, this is how Stephenson has trained Bowen to prepare for a Victorian Football League debut.
The Selkirk Roosters’ ruck stock this week is inexperienced. Rebels’ graduate Rowan Marshall is in his third game this season and will again play under the 23rd man rule. They will be up against Melbourne AFL-listed veteran Mark Jamar.
Marshall impressed, athletically dominating the tap against Geelong in his 55 per cent game time this week. He shared ruck duties with Kangaroos-listed Braydon Preuss, who has now been suspended for striking. Veteran Stephenson will remain sidelined with a calf strain until after the bye.
Bowen, who hails from Carisbrook, has been fine-tuning his match-play with Lake Wendouree in the ruck and moving up forward – how the Roosters want him to play.
Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald said the second-year Rooster had made good progress and this call-up would be a fantastic test.
“He’ll learn a lot about about VFL level football and a lot about himself,” FitzGerald said.
“He’s trained up (with Stephenson) via game-day simulation at training and in stoppage craft.
“We really trust our boys to be prepared to play a specific role and what Jacko has been asked to do is to perform the same role we would ask of Orren.”
It will help to have midfield reinforcement from experienced Kangaroo Ryan Bastinac, who has made one sole appearance in the VFL – that was in round 10, 2011, for a Roosters’ trip to Frankston. Bastinac was omitted from the Kangaroos’ AFL team and may still be a travelling emergency against Greater Western Sydney. Should he play, Bastinac’s midfield role could be crucial in helping to snap the Roosters’ four-game losing streak.
The Roosters midfield is also bolstered by the return of Nick Peters (ankle) and Coleman Schache (knee) who were cleared for action earlier in the week.
ROOSTERS v SCORPIONS at Eureka Stadium, Saturday 1pm
TEAM –B: Warren#, Tippett*, Kiel; HB: Mullett*, Staley, Boseley; C: McKenzie*, Sewell, Scott; HF: Lanyon, Anderson, Keeble; F: George, Black*, A Hooper; R: Marshall^, Rippon, Bastinac*; Inter: Lockyer, Bacon, Bowen, Schache, Tsitas.
IN: Bastinac*, Schache, Bowen, Bacon, Lanyon.
OUT: Atley* (NM), Preuss (suspended), Garner, Hoy, Austin (injured).
*NM listed **NM rookie ^23rd man
