HAMILTON Kangaroos will face the arguably the toughest test in Hampden league football without two of its key midfielders.
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Jarrod O’Brien (foot) and Tom Feely (hamstring) are among five changes to the Roos’ line-up to face Koroit at Victoria Park on Saturday.
Taine Morris (unavailable), Tom Scott (TAC Cup) and Scott Nippress (omitted) will also miss.
Kangaroos coach Matt Dunn said Feely’s hamstring strain was on the minor side and O’Brien was nursing a persistent foot complaint.
“Jarrod got it a couple of months ago and he’s played with a little bit of discomfort the last three or four weeks,” he said.
“It’s an inflamation injury, so he’ll be out for another one to two weeks.”
Reserves quintet Kane Quinn, Mitchell Johnson, Angus Noske, Josh Nield and James Pike come into the senior outfit.
“It’s Josh’s first game for the season and the other boys have had a few opportunities but have gone out through injury or when other players have come back,” Dunn said.
Terang Mortlake welcomed back rebounding defender Tom McKenzie for its clash against Portland.
Bloods coach Michael Sargeant said McKenzie, who spent three weeks holidaying in America, was an invaluable inclusion.
“Tommy was probably in career-best form before he went away,” he said.
“His form means we bring him straight back in.
“His run off half-back has been second-to-none.
“He’s a driver for us in that area.”
Portland will be without ruckman Ben Malcolm, utility Nathan Haylock and TAC Cup-listed duo Tylar Watts and Aaron Shepherd.
South Warrnambool slotted promising pair Jock Blair and Paddy Anderson back into its best 21 to face Camperdown at Leura Oval.
Roosters coach Mat Buck said the duo, who were unavailable last week, were important inclusions.
“They give us a bit more run which is something we lacked last week,” he said.
Noah Kol and teenage debutant Cooper Atchison make way. Buck said Atchison “held his own” in his first game but was a victim of the Roosters’ depth.
Camperdown named mid-season NEAFL recruit Harrison Hunkin for his debut.