North Ballarat Roosters have made three changes ahead of their Victorian Football League clash with Williamstown at Eureka Stadium on Saturday.
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Veteran player Oliver Tate and Ben Simpson both come out of the side after sustaining injuries at training on Wednesday night.
Tate, who played well against St Kilda’s Paddy McCartin last weekend, suffered tightness in his hamstring, while Simpson landed awkwardly in a training drill and hurt his ankle.
Billy Jones has been omitted.
South Colac footballers Ben Cox and Tim Speirs have been selected to add some maturity to the team, while Louis Herbert returns after pulling out of last weekend’s match due to illness.
Coach Marc Greig said the battle would start in the midfield against a “super strong and mature group”, with Williamstown’s key strengths its midfield and ruck.
“Nick Meese was the team of the year ruckman last year for VFL so he just dominates in the ruck and their midfielders are all mature players,” Greig said.
However, Greig said he trusted the Roosters’ young midfielders who had performed well against Sandringham last week.
The Roosters have opted for a smaller forward line.
“We felt it worked reasonably well (for us) last week… and whatever the conditions are we think we can adapt to kick enough goals,” Greig said.