The North Ballarat Roosters have made seven changes to its line-up after last week’s 188-point drubbing ahead of its clash with Casey Demons on Saturday night at Casey Fields.
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Coach Marc Greig said an emphasis was placed on bringing in players that would provide a competitive edge, as well as on-field communication.
Oliver Tate (Hamstring), Tom Taurau (Groin) and James Lukich (Knee) will all miss through injury while Shannon Beks, Nick Hausler and Keegan Mellington have all been omitted. Naish McRoberts has been replaced as the 23rd man by Keenan Waterbury.
Tate and Taurau are expected to miss 2-3 weeks while Lukich will be right for next week.
Mitch Rodd returns from injury, Lachy George is back from suspension. Billy Jones and Jacob Cooke-Harrison will play their first senior games, Nick Weightman has also been recalled while the side’s ruck department receives a significant boost, adding Nick Nott who recently signed a contract.
Richmond’s AFL-listed ruckman Ivan Soldo dominated Beks and Hausler last week, Greig was pleased to have a senior body in the ruck this week and stressed the young duo were not dropped on performance, but rather development reasons.
Greig said the selection process was difficult following the poor performance, treading a fine line between too many changes that would disrupt the structure, but also making the right calls on certain players.
“There’s guys that weren’t super last week that will get another crack at it and hopefully they can turn it around,” Greig said.
Greig said Casey were a high-possession side and the Roosters would have to deny the opposition ball-in-hand and uncontested marks.
