PORTLAND youngster Tom Templeton gets his first opportunity with North Ballarat Roosters against Richmond in the VFL at Eureka Stadium on Sunday.
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Templeton has been selected as 23rd player.
Ruckman Rowan Marshall has been playing that role, but has reached the limit of three games. However, with Orren Stephenson still out with calf trouble, Marshall has retained his place in the line-up. He will either be partnered by North Melbourne's Braydon Preuss or Jackson Bowen.
Preuss missed the Roosters' latest game before a bye owing to suspension - making way for Bowen to make his VFL debut.
Templeton is among five inclusions in an extended squad named by North Ballarat on Thursday night. Taylor Garner (North Melbourne) Liam Youl and Nick Couch have also been added.
Garner has been selected at centre half forward and as long as he gets through a Friday training session with North Melbourne will play. Couch has shown all the right signs in two games back with Springbank in the Central Highlands Football League after knee soreness.
The Roosters are eager to get experienced midfielder back, but he might have to wait another week before breaking into the team.
Although North Ballarat was hopeful for better news, co-captain Matt Austin (knee) could not convince coach Gerard FitzGerald he was right to go. Lucas Anderson has been left out and returns to Lake Wendouree.
North Ballarat retains the services of experienced Kangaroo Ryan Bastinac.
Roosters injury update: Matt Austin (ITB) 1 week, Liam Hoy (ankle) 1 week, Orren Stephenson (calf) 1 week, Nick Peters (ankle) 3-4 weeks, James Lukich (knee), Michael Powell (scaphoid) 6-8 weeks), Jesse Collins (hamstring) Brody Mahoney (foot), Jesse Murphy (hip), Jacob Werts (shoulder) all indefinite, Lachlan Cassidy (shoulder), Bryce Curnow (shoulder), Keegan Mellington (knee), Mitch Rodd (tibia stress fracture), James Richards (shoulder) all season
North Ballarat line-up to play Richmond at Eureka Stadium on Sunday, 1.30pm:
B: Kiel, Tippett*, Lockyer
HB: Warren#, Boseley, Mullett*
C: McKenzie*, Sewell, Scott.
HF: Bacon, Garner*, Keeble
F: Hooper, Black*, George
R: Marshall, Rippon, Bastinac*
Inter from: Templeton^, Tsitas, Staley, Schache, Preuss*, Lanyon, Youl, Bowen, Couch
In: Templeton, Garner*, Preuss*, Youl, Couch
Out: Anderson
*North Melb listed, #North Melb rookie ^23rd player