OLD Collegians wingman Jacob Lacy will play his first game of the 2016 Warrnambool and District league season on Saturday.
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Warriors coach Josh Reichman said Lacy had overcome a series of injury setbacks and would add pace against Merrivale.
“He’s had a couple of broken fingers; he’s been unlucky this year,” he said.
“We’re happy to have him back in the team.”
The undefeated ladder-leaders have named an extended bench for the top-five clash, with Matthew Petherick and Jimmy McKenzie added to the squad.
The Warriors have lost Aaron Williams (unavailable), Danny Weel (knee) and Chris Chambers (hand).
“Matthew is an option up forward and will take Chris Chambers’ spot and Jimmy will play in the forward line as well,” Reichman said.
Merrivale bolstered its line-up, welcoming back reigning J.A Esam Medallist Josh Sobey (ankle) and former North Ballarat Rebel Kyden Jarvis (ankle).
The Tigers also recalled James Preston and Matthew Gleeson. Sean Barnes (thigh), Lachlan Kelly (ankle) and Zac Sandow (work commitments) are out.
Merrivale coach Karl Dwyer said the Tigers were rapt to get captain Sobey back after a two-week layoff.
“He’s trying to manage it (the ankle) for the remainder of the year,” he said.
“It gives him a bit of grief but he’s managing it.”
Panmure and Kolora-Noorat have both named extended benches for their clash. The Bulldogs will unveil mid-season recruit, Simpson premiership player David Weel.
John Malone (appendix), Ben Meade (unavailable) and Sam Melican (ankle) are all expected to return.
Panmure coach Joe Kenna said Weel would strengthen the Bulldogs’ spine.
“He’s trained with us all year so he knows the boys well enough and has seen a couple of games,” he said.
Kolora-Noorat coach Danny Finn (concussion) is among the Power’s inclusions, along with experienced pair Ben and Tom Kenna, who are also on the injury comeback trail.