MORE than half Russells Creek’s team that takes on Allansford on Saturday will be made up of new and returning players.
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The Kangaroos have named 11 players that weren’t in the Warrnambool and District team last season for the opening clash at Mack Oval, including new coach Heath Moloney in the ruck and assistant coach Chris Crawley at centre half-back.
“It’s the first game, we’ve got to learn how each other plays,” Moloney said.
“Having so many new blokes, we’ve just got to try to adjust how we play.”
The Kangaroos have also picked up talented midfielder Andrew McMeel, who most recently played at Hampden league level, although the date of his first appearance in the blue-and-white stripes remains uncertain.
Old Collegians will unveil recruit Jimmy Crawford, from Deakin University, who will slot into full forward against Nirranda in place of power forward Chris Chambers, who faces a delayed start to the season.
Kolora-Noorat will unleash a host of recruits against South Rovers as well as two debutants.
Returning former league leading goalkicker Ben Fraser has been named at half-forward and Steve O’Connor at half-back.
It will be an all-new centreline for the Power, with former Koroit Saint Ben Walsh was named at centre, while Cobden ball-winner Sam Harkin and Terang Mortlake midfielder Jason Moloney were on the wings.
Juniors Ben O’Sullivan and Bailey Kemp will make their senior debuts
Timboon Demons will have five new faces and three returning against Panmure.
Among them, Andrew Clements and Nicholas Robertson been named across half-back, Dale Hood will slot into full forward, and Robb Jewell was named ruck-rover. “We probably didn’t have those bigger bodies to help us out (last year), but we haven’t targeted bigger bodies that can’t move around,” Demons coach Mick Hunt said.
Ben Newey (lower back/groin) and Andrew Hargreaves (knee) face delayed starts to the season after injuries sustained in a practice match.