OVENS and King interleague coach Finton Eames has backed veteran Anthony Welsh to shoulder the bulk of the ruck work tomorrow following the suspension of Jamie Bell on Wednesday night.
Bell was found guilty of striking Benalla's Brendan Smith, and hit with a three-match ban, two of which are suspended until the end of the season, meaning he will be free to play in round nine.
Eames said Bell's indiscretion was ill-timed, but added he was more than confident in his ruck stocks given the addition of Justin Gervasoni to the team.
"Welshy is someone I rate very highly," Eames said.
"He's a former Baker Medallist, and he's basically a ruck/on-baller.
"We gave Belly every chance to play, but it was just an unfortunate circumstance.
"Gervasoni is only young, but he's been playing some good senior footy.
"He will have his hands full holding down centre half back, but he's certainly an option if Welshy needs a chop out.
"And Richard Findlay is another one who we can go to if need be."
Findlay has made a big impression in his first season in the OandK, having booted 50 goals in the first seven rounds, and along with Richie Leahy, who has 53 majors to his name, Eames said the forward line had enormous potential.
"I spoke to Richie (Leahy) after last week's game, and he is absolutely all for interleague," Eames said.
"Obviously he has kicked a lot of goals this year, so he's going to give us a great target.
"And Richard Findlay, with his height, is very similar to Dawsy (Chris Daws).
"So if we can get it in long and quick to him in the goal square he could clean up.
"Then we've got Jezza Wilson, Mark Scholte and Jack Stamp, who have all been in great form, so there's no reason for us to be one dimensional."
But as strong as the forward line looks, Eames said it would be an exercise in futility if his midfield couldn't get on top.
Fortunately he has some of the league's best players set to rotate through the middle and set the pace of the match.
"We've only gone with a squad of 23 in the end, rather than 24, but there is some real quality there," he said.
"Blokes like Jono Rea, Brent Nichols, Nutta (Steve Nightingale), Cam Kennedy, Adam Williams, Ben Bell, Dan McLaughlin and Jaimon McGeehan they will give us a lot of run.
"Rotations are going to be important, and we also want to give everyone a good run.
"It's hard to tell what's going to happen until we get started, but I will back our guys to go out there and play a great game."
While Eames himself won't play due to ongoing hamstring issues, he is rapt to be coaching the side, and paid credit to those who assisted him in the lead up.
"Nutta (Steve Nightingale), Balf (Andrew Balfour) and Dakker (Daniel McLaughlin) have been terrific I couldn't have done it without them," he said.
"Daryle Everitt and Kent Braden have also helped me out a great deal."
By - SCOTT ANDERSON.
POINTERS: Coach Finton Eames goes through a few instructions at interleague training on Wednesday. PHOTO: Alex Baird
To see the full story, see printed edition of this paper (subscribe today)
2012 - WorkSafe Country Championships - Senior Results at this link below -
https://websites.mygameday.app/comp_info.cgi?c=1-7236-0-221600-0&a=ROUND
2012 VCFL LEAGUE RANKINGS
- Goulburn Valley
- MPNFL
- Ballarat
- Geelong
- O&M
- Hampden
- Bendigo
- Gippsland
- Murray
- Sunraysia
- Central Murray
- Yarra Valley
- Bellarine
- Western Border
- Wimmera
- Mallee
- Casey Cardinia
- Nepean
- Geelong & District
- Heathcote District
- North Central
- Loddon Valley
- Maryborough Castlemaine District
- Horsham District
- Ovens & King
- Picola District (North East)
- Central Highlands
- Ellinbank District
- Mid Gippsland
- Alberton
- Picola District (South West)
- Kyabram District
|
Last Modified on 26/05/2012 14:42