Border Mail |
BRAD Ottens will not play for Yarrawonga today.
In a massive shock, the Pigeons have been left disappointed after Geelong’s three-time premiership star was forced to withdraw from the blockbuster against Albury because of back soreness.Ottens ruled himself out about lunch time yesterday.
Yarrawonga co-coach Chris Kennedy said the Pigeons were as deflated as anyone by the news but said the right thing to do was let people know.
Thousands were expected to flock to J.C. Lowe Oval to watch the former All-Australian in action.
“He knows how big this game is but he couldn’t guarantee he’d get through it,” Kennedy said.
“He ruled himself out.
“His back seized up after he trained on Thursday night and basically he didn’t want to look like a dill if he did play.
“We’re not playing games or anything, and we know a lot of people will be disappointed.
“We are, too.
“Hopefully it doesn’t hurt the crowd too much.”
Ed Bayles, who played his first game for Yarrawonga last week, has come back into the side.
Ottens is now likely to make his debut in round 11, against North Albury.
“That’s probably the game we’ll look at,” Kennedy said.
“Nothing’s finalised yet, though.
“It’s just disappointing because I know the boys were looking forward to playing with him.”
This afternoon’s clash, however, will still be littered with former AFL talent.
Brendan Fevola, Kayne Pettifer, Craig Ednie, Steve McKee and Luke Hammond will all play for the Pigeons, while Chris Hyde, Dean Polo, Bryce Carroll and Josh Dicketts will start for the Tigers.
Fevola said the Pigeons hadn’t forgotten last year’s defeat — their only loss of the season — to Albury in the corresponding game at J.C. Lowe Oval.
“Obviously they got us on our home deck last year and we don’t like losing there so we want to turn the tables,” Fevola said.
“This game will go a long way to cementing top spot.
“No disrespect to some of the other teams in the competition but Albury will actually try and win the game.
“They don’t zone back like some other teams who flood back and are probably more interested in stopping the carnage on the scoreboard.
“This game will be a big test for us and both teams go really hard at the footy.
“All the other weeks have been little entrees and hopefully this week is a nice main course for everyone.”
Fevola, meanwhile, will make a guest appearance for Traralgon in the Gippsland league on Monday.
