NORTH Ballarat Roosters have the daunting task of facing a contingent of AFL-experienced key position players in the VFL at Eureka Stadium on Saturday.
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Nothing has been easy for the Selkirk Roosters in their first season as a standalone team.
While the Carlton-aligned Northern Blues are not that far above them in 12th position, their depth – particularly in the big man department – is going to be extremely hard for North Ballarat to combat.
The Blues boast former Rooster and long-time Carlton key defender Michael Jamison, Liam Jones, Cameron Wood and Andrejs Everett.
Orren Stephenson and Matt Eagles are the seasoned big bodies for North Ballarat. Rowan Marshall and Sam Hooper have stepped up valiantly, but are in their first full seasons at this level and coach Marc Greig is mindful of the importance of looking after his younger players.
Greig said with six games, broken up by a bye, to go player management remained an important component of the Roosters’ preparation.
“We don’t want to drop off. We want to be giving ourselves every chance in the remaining games.”
He has already started resting players and is beginning to mix up training. With a six-day break, this week’s preparation has featured pool and indoor sessions and then on Friday night a snappy leadership-led program.
The Roosters confirmed a late change on Friday, with Bailey Edwards being recalled from duties with Lake Wendouree to replace Coby Perry (hamstring).
LINE-UP (1pm start)
B: T Lockyer, A Boseley, M Rodd
HB: O Tate, R Marshall, M Austin
C: N Weightman, L George, C Lee (23rd)
HF: T Templeton, S Hooper, T Schnerring
F: L Kiel, M Eagles, D Cox
R: O Stephenson, N Rippon, C Schache
Inter: J Webster, L Cassidy, B Simpson, J Keeble, B Edwards
Emerg: J Werts, M Johnston, T Taurau
ROOSTERS duo Matt Eagles and Daniel Cox begin their journey on the Foxtel reality AFL program, "The Recruit", when the first episode is telecast on Fox8 next Wednesday night. They are among 15 hopefuls vying for a guaranteed spot on an AFL list.
Eagles from Queensland and Cox from WA made a late start to the VFL season owing to commitments with "The Recruit" - playing their first games with the Roosters against Port Melbourne in round seven.
Cox signed with North Ballarat late last year, while Eagles was a late pick-up after the start of the home and away season.
