Bendigo Advertiser | BENDIGO’S inter-league squad to tackle Ballarat this Saturday has been further depleted by injuries.
Strathfieldsaye duo Kane Airdrie (knee) and Tom Bartholomew (groin), Eaglehawk’s Tim Hill (foot) and Golden Square stars Ryan Herring (foot) and Simon Rosa (leg) have been ruled out of next Saturday’s clash in Ballarat.
“It’s disappointing that we’ve had more players forced out with injuries, but it does open the door for more young players to get a game,’’ BFNL coach Rick Ladson said on Sunday.
“We do have good depth through the squad, so we’re expecting to have a very strong team represent the league next weekend.
“There’s been a great vibe around the squad at training, so we’re confident we will do well.”
The loss of Bartholomew and Herring further depletes a Bendigo attack that was already missing Stephen Milne and Corey Jones.
Bartholomew and Herring would have both been picked in Bendigo’s starting forward six.
Golden Square star Travis Baird put his hand up for inclusion in the final 23 after producing a best on ground performance for the Bulldogs on Saturday in his first game since round one.
“I hadn’t really been counting on Trav being available, but he played well on Saturday and we’ll have to see how well he pulls up from his first game,’’ Ladson said.
Kangaroo Flat’s James Saville, who was one of the BFNL’s best in last year’s win over Gippsland, also did his selection chances no harm by being the Roos best in his first game back from injury.
The BFNL squad will have its final training session at the QEO on Thursday night.
Possible BFNL squad to take on Ballarat:
B: Tyler Miles, Dale Young, Tim Walsh. Hb: Jon Coe, Matt Thornton, Tom Dowd. C: Shaun Everington, Jack Geary, Harry O’Meara. Hf: Lachlan Ross, Travis Baird, Jake Hall. F: Mitch Dole, Sam Mildren, Clayton Anderson. Foll; Nick Lang, Matt Smith, Brodie Filo. Inter (from): Nick Stagg, James Saville, Harry Conway, Tom Waters, Shannon Geary, Kallen Geary, Adam Parry, Tom Toma, Corey Greer, Tom May, Casey Summerfield.
