Kelly back, Dolan out  for Blockbuster

North’s welcome back roster boy Jayden Kelly along with Wes Burton, Chris Billings and Johnny Bugeja for their “must win “ match of the year against ladder leaders South.

Trailing South by 2 games, North must win this match to have any chance of capturing the prized Minor Premiership and with it direct passage to a Grand Final. The continuing absence of key defender Matt Dempster is the Bulldogs biggest worry heading into the finals.

Out goes Laurence Hebbard, Jason Harwood, Josh Sheargold and Sean Librando.

South’s loose Bill Dolan along with inform midfielder Alan Mackiewicz, line breaker Dylan Stuart and N. Brown. These losses have been covered to some extent with 4 key players back in including Captain Michael Westley (from a tripping suspension), Arlen Bird (hamstring), Sheldon Hall and Riley Schorn. South’s depth has been its strength all year with an undefeated B grade team keeping the players focused.

The game promises many absorbing duels including the midfield battle of Kelly, Howard, Johnson against Purcell, Hardy & Neal. With so many other players running through the middle the magnetic boards will be working overtime in both Coaches boxes. With this game a possible preview of the 2012 GF will the Coaches hold back the “ace or two” move or go all guns blazing to win the battle above the shoulders. It promises to be a great game!

West welcome back 8 players into a squad of 24. With pressure off to qualify for the finals Coach Dale Tonkin has the luxury to rest players carrying minor injuries to have them cherry ripe in 3 weeks time. Named this week are Milne, Zanette, Nelson, Raven, Ryan, Tonkin, N Christos and Pettitt but its highly likely 2 of these will drop out. Still to return are Captain John Blore and Shane Dalby. The return last week of Brett Martin was a welcome addition for the Robins.

Centrals get playing Coach Justin Heath back, but season 2012 is over for the seniors. At least the Club is still alive in Reserves and a great chance in Women’s and Under 18’s. With the CFC having their old timers weekend one hopes the lads dig deep and play with more spirit than the last two weeks have shown.