XAVIER Johnson-Blount will bolster a largely youthful Warrnambool Seahawks team as it prepares to take on top team Keilor Thunder at Keilor on Saturday night.
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Tim Gainey, who was by far the most experienced Seahawk on the court in last week’s fighting loss to Melton Thoroughbreds, said Johnson-Blount would be a valuable addition to a group that was starting to gel after being thrown in the deep end with a host of stars sidelined by injuries.
“(Last week, after me) I think our next oldest player would’ve been Dion Smith, and he got hurt as well,” Gainey said.
“Dion is only 25. Everyone else would’ve been 21 and under, playing against some grown men in the other team.
“Guys like Ollie Bidmade and James Mitchell and Brock Carter all stood up, as well as some of our young guys who are 16 or 17.”
Smith will miss this week, joining Alex Gynes and Tom Symons on the Seahawks’ injury list.
Gainey has stood up in the absence of his fellow experienced stars in recent weeks, but was modest about his own performance.
“I just go with the flow,” he said. “I still think I can play 40 minutes a game.
“Whatever is going to make us successful, I’m happy to do it.”
The Seahawks are still second on the Terrill conference ladder despite their injury woes.
The Seahawks youth men’s and Mermaids women’s teams both compete at the Arc on Saturday night.
The youth men will tip off proceedings against Craigieburn Eagles at 6pm, ahead of the Mermaids’ game against Altona Gators at 8pm.