FORTUNE has smiled on Redan in the wake of some late injuries at training last night.
The L&H Lions lost Matthew James and Patrick Britt to ankle injuries during training, but they gained ready-made replacements from North Ballarat in the form of Roosters-listed players Darcy Watchorn and Blair Whelan.
“They will be big losses but we are lucky enough that Darcy and Blair are available to play,” Redan co-coach Eammon Gill says.
The Lions have made four changes for the match against Sebastopol.
Dean Mathews returns straight into the senior line-up after not playing football for two years, while under-18.5 player Ashley Ballinger has been promoted for his first senior match with the club.
Sebastopol has been forced into two changes with injuries to full-forward Jesse Britton and midfielder Brent Van Gils.
The Globe Hotel Kookaburras have two players with senior experience, with Alex Brimacombe and Hamish Blake promoted from the reserves.
“Hamish Blake had a bit of a bad run with injury this year and he hurt his shoulder in an intraclub practice match so he came back through the reserves last week,” Sebastopol coach Shawne Dummett said.
“Alex (Brimacombe) likes the contested ball, and that’s what you need against a side like Redan.”
Brimacombe has been named at full-back, indicating his likely opponent will be Damien Horbury.
Marty Busch Reserve, tomorrow, 2.10pm
PREDICTION: Redan by five goals