KOROIT’S wobbly start to the Hampden A grade season has been dealt another blow, with co-coach Kasey Owen sidelined.
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The Saints defender tore her calf against Port Fairy last weekend, ruling her out of today’s battle with South Warrnambool at Friendly Societies’ Park.
Owen will join joint mentor Emily Batt on the sidelines as the Saints strive for their second win of the season.
“I didn’t know what I’d done. I’d never done (a calf) before,” she said.
“It’s a niggling injury and you have to be careful when you come back.
“It’s a bit frustrating but we have Teagan Lang back in from a back injury.”
Owen said Lang was a key inclusion as the perennial finalist, sitting in unfamiliar territory with a 1-3 record, attempts to breathe life into its season.
Lang is earmarked to play in both attack and defence, while former top-grade regulars Stacey O’Sullivan and Kate Dobson, along with Bridget Roache, will again step up from A1.
Owen said the Saints were content with their start despite the lop-sided win-loss ledger.
“It is disappointing but at the same time they have been tough, close games and we have been unfortunate with injuries and unavailability in the first four rounds,” she said.
“I think the girls have been so positive.”
Owen expects the Roosters, who are 2-2, to present a tough challenge.
“They have shown really good potential,” she said.
“It is going to be the team which plays four quarters (which wins).
“You can’t wait to the second or third quarter to click into gear. You have to come out firing.”
Batt, who is due to give birth in six weeks, said the Saints believed they could turn their fortunes around.
“We’re lucky we have two really good A1 players step up and make a difference,” she said.
“They could make any senior side.”
Batt said Koroit was relishing the underdog tag — something which has eluded them for the best part of a decade.
“We’ve lost three games but could have potentially won two of them,” she said.
The reigning league A grade best and fairest winner rates the Roosters’ list highly and expects their youth-laden team to perform strongly today.
In other round five fixtures, Portland, coming off its first win, plays big improver Terang Mortlake, North Warrnambool Eagles will go in favourite against Cobden, Hamilton Kangaroos will attempt to make it five straight victories when they tackle winless Warrnambool and Port Fairy and Camperdown meet in an intriguing battle.