SOUTH Cairns' strike weapon has been packed up and sent home for the ''long-term benefit of the club'', according to head coach Grant Russell.
The Cutters’ mentor said it was a club decision to send full forward Glen Gascoyne back to Millicent Football Club in South Australia.
He said his attitude had not been up to scratch and that the Cutters’ board had agreed it was best to cut him loose.
"It was in the club’s long term interests," Russell said.
"We made sure he had a team to go back and play for and we’ll move on. I’m pretty happy with where the team is at in terms of next season and the season after that."
Gascoyne had kicked 45 goals this season and was a real handful for opposition defences. But Russell argued his form had dropped and his absence would not mean the team would struggle.
"I think it will mean instead of having that one stand-out option up front it’ll open up opportunities for a few other guys," the coach said.
"I think we’ll get a number of different guys kicking the goals now."
Gascoyne’s departure has coincided with Caleb Howell’s arrival.
The midfielder was impressive in his first game against North Cairns and will take his place in the engine room again against Cairns Saints on Saturday.
But Russell is contending with the loss of eight regular starters in addition to Gascoyne, and admits the prospect of a win against the undefeated Saints was a little far fetched.
"I think if we are full strength there are some things we can do to shake them up," he said."
"But missing eight blokes; it’ll be about improving on that shocker we had against them last time."
That "shocker" was their round eight annihilation when they kicked just two goals compared with Saints’ 29 to lose by 178 points.
"Our attitude was terrible that game, it was our worst performance," Russell said.
"But we responded by winning three of our next four."
Saints average 123 points a game this season and have kicked 290 goals. They have been stingy in defence too, conceding just 85.
Russell said stopping them came down to restricting their quick spread and trying to put pressure on their midfield.
"They have a brilliant midfield though, so you’ve got to be good enough to make them hurt in the first place," he said.
Last Modified on 25/09/2012 10:18