PORT Fairy coach Sam Rudolph expects the Seagulls to respond from their round one drubbing when they host Portland tomorrow.
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Rudolph made three changes at the selection table last night following Port Fairy’s disappointing 72-point loss to Koroit.
Zippy midfielder Isaac Martin, key defender Cameron Brown and promising key forward Josh Gunning were named for the clash at Gardens Oval.
Rudolph lamented the Seagulls’ heavy first-up defeat and placed a focus on accountability at training this week.
The second-year mentor said the Seagulls’ lack of handball receives and the Saints’ ability to zone off and find space reflected poorly on his team.
“We had a really good discussion on Tuesday night before training and we had the toughest session we have had for a long time,” he said.
“It was physical and wet as well and we didn’t finish until well after 8pm.
“Tonight was short and sharp with really good skills and we were upbeat.”
Portland made two changes for its first road trip of the season, adding Andy Symons and Mitchell Bunworth to the team which defeated Terang Mortlake in its season-opener.
VFL-listed player Tom Gordon and teenager Charlie Woodford will miss but SANFL prospect Jaydon Stiles is available again and will play a forward role.
Tigers coach Jake Myles said Symons, a wingman-cum-half-forward, deserved his spot.
“He did all the pre-season and was pretty unlucky to miss last week,” he said.
“He was picked until Stilesy came in, and he went from on the field to going out.”
North Warrnambool Eagles will be without key trio Jye Bidmade, Michael Darmody and Ben Mugavin for their clash against Terang Mortlake.
Bidmade has general soreness, while Darmody and Mugavin have prior commitments.
Versatile teenager Luke Wines, goal sneak Jarryd Lewis and defender Tom O’Leary were called up to the Eagles’ senior side.
Terang Mortlake added experience to its line-up, naming Patrick Heffernan and Michael Sargeant.
The Bloods lost talented midfielder Nick Couch to the VFL and omitted teenager Tom Arundell.
South Warrnambool coach Matt Monk has backed his inexperienced side to respond from its horror round one showing against Warrnambool, making one forced change for its game against Cobden at Friendly Societies’ Park.
Promising ball winner Jock Blair will miss between six and eight weeks with a fractured leg, paving the way for teenager Shaun Lucas to test himself at senior level.
Monk said the Roosters’ morale was high despite starting their season with an 86-point loss.
“The focus has been to remain upbeat, scratch that and look at this week as the start of our season,” he said.
“We don’t want to get deflated and go into our shell.”
Cobden made one change, bringing in onballer Tom Ludeman for the injured Ben Robertson.
Robertson has a minor elbow injury.
Camperdown added pace and skill for its clash against reigning premier Warrnambool at Leura Oval.
The Magpies will unveil teenage debutant Matt Field, along with Jordan Briggs and David Young.
Briggs joined Camperdown from Kyabram in the off-season and will make his Magpies debut.
Pies coach Dan Casey said Field warranted his spot after a standout game in the reserves in round one.
“We thought we’d see him (in the seniors) in the second half of the season,” he said.
“We have changed his attitude to training — he likes to have a good time.
“Last week he was dynamite in the reserves.”
Former South Rovers key position player Will Paulin will make his Hampden league debut for Warrnambool, which also named 2013 club reserves best and fairest Corey Gallichan.
Ruckman Rob Bright (hamstring) and key defender Peter Corredig (unavailable) made way.
Hamilton Kangaroos named defender Pat Sherlock for their Sunday match against 2013 grand finalist Koroit at Melville Oval.
Koroit will take an unchanged line-up into the round two match up.