MIDFIELD-forward Jon Lanyon will make his Victorian Football League debut at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.
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Lanyon has been promoted as North Ballarat Roosters’ 23rd man to meet Carlton’s Northern Blues in an AFL curtain-raiser to the Blues and Greater Western Sydney.
Originally from Boort, Lanyon has played the past two years with East Point in the Ballarat Football League, after graduating from North Ballarat Rebels’ TAC Cup program.
He played as a Selkirk Roosters top-up player in the development league three years ago.
Lanyon steps up in a big game for the Roosters, who are out to end a three-game losing streak.
The Roosters have an unblemished record at Etihad Stadium – three VFL premierships from three grand finals at the venue, each flag won under coach Gerard FitzGerald.
Roosters ruckman Orren Stephenson will be put to the test against Carlton big man Matthew Kreuzer, who will spend a second week in the VFL plotting his way back from a foot injury.
The Blues have also named Liam Jones, Dylan Buckley, Nick Graham, Clem Smith, Blaine Boekhorst and Mark Whiley – each axed from the AFL after Carlton’s nine-point loss to Brisbane.
This match will also be the first as a fully fledged Rooster for Sam Scott and his first VFL senior appearance since 2013.
Scott played three matches under the VFL’s 23rd man rule for the Roosters two years ago and has been fine-tuning his game with Geelong Football League club Leopold.
The Roosters have also recalled defender Andrew Boseley to meet the Blues.
Key forward James Keeble’s comeback has been cut short. He will be rested for hamstring soreness. It is a disappointing blow for Keeble, who missed the opening three rounds with a knee strain sustained in a Roosters practice match.
Keeble joins the sidelines with Tyler Blake, who injured his shoulders on debut as the Roosters’ 23rd man against Richmond at Punt Road last week.
The match has been moved to a slightly later than scheduled start of 1.15pm to have the end of the match as close as possible to AFL game-day preparations in a traditional curtain-raiser format.
INJURED/UNAVAILABLE: James Keeble (hamstring soreness, one week), Liam Hoy (sacroiliac joint sprain, 1-2 weeks), Tyler Blake (shoulder, two weeks), Mitch Rodd (shin/abductor, 8-9 weeks), Jesse Collins (hamstring, indefinite), Nick Couch (knee, indefinite), Jesse Murphy (hip, indefinite), Lachlan Cassidy (shoulder, season), Keegan Mellington (knee, season).
Line-ups, page 28