NORTH Ballarat might have as few as six players from last year’s premiership line-up to face East Perth in the opening round of the Foxtel Cup in Perth on Saturday.Captain Marc Greig, Orren Stephenson, Nick Peters, Derick Micallef, and North Melbourne listed Luke Delaney and Brayden Norris are the only 2010 grand final players still on the Selkirk Roosters’ list with a clean bill of health.Head coach Gerard FitzGerald yesterday had the headache of being uncertain whether onballer Myles Sewell, defenders Matt Tyler and Matt Sharkey will be fit, while Nick Couch (ankle), Marcus White (shoulder) and Bill Driscoll (abdomen) have already been ruled out with medium to long-term injuries.Sewell is under a cloud after getting a corked leg against Geelong in a practice match on Saturday, while Sharkey pulled up from that game with ankle soreness.Tyler withdrew from the hit-out with groin soreness and faces fitness tests to determine whether he makes the trip west.Sharkey lined up against Geelong for his first game since recovering from a strained knee.While he played limited time without any knee trouble, FitzGerald learnt early yesterday that Sharkey had sprained an ankle.The Roosters will also need a clearance for first-year North Melbourne rookie Aaron Mullett, who was on the end of two heavy knocks against Geelong.“We’re facing lots of challenges,” FitzGerald said at a launch of the new interstate knockout competition at Eureka Stadium yesterday.“There’s a massive level of excitement.“We’re going into the unknown and we’re doing all we can to be ready.”The Roosters trained last night and will have their last session tomorrow night before flying out on Friday.They will have a short run at Patersons Stadium (Subiaco Oval) shortly after arriving.FitzGerald said he was following a similar preparation to that of the VFL representative team, which he led to victory over the WAFL in Perth last year. He said the travel experience would be a first for many.FitzGerald said while the schedule was tight, he would give players as much down time as possible.“I don’t want to over cook them.”• EAST Perth will go into the clash with North Ballarat on the back of a 24-point loss to East Fremantle in round two of the WAFL home and away season.Roosters premiership player Josh Smith was again among East Perth’s best players with 17 kicks, 11 handballs, 10 marks and 23 hit outs.This leaves the Royals in fourth position on one win and one loss.