HAMILTON Kangaroos will be without inspirational leader Hamish Waldron for their Anzac Day clash with Portland after he was knocked out in their loss to Koroit on Saturday.
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Roos coach Matt Dunn said the midfielder was hurt in the second term of their 14.17 (101) to 8.7 (55) defeat at Melville Oval.
The Kangaroos, who have a short four-day turnaround before their showcase game on Wednesday, could also be without Kane Quinn who is battling a corkie.
Dunn said the Roos played well in patches against the Saints before being overrun in the final term by the reigning premier.
“Our first quarter was terrific and we started well in the second quarter but didn’t take our opportunities,” he said.
“After half-time they really got going and we couldn’t bridge the gap.”
Koroit held a 14-point half-time lead with coach Chris McLaren admitting it took the Saints a long time to shake Hamilton.
“We didn’t play well for a fair bit of the day and a fair bit of that can be attributed to Hamilton’s pressure and the way they closed up the ground,” he said.
“They didn’t give us any room. They’ve definitely improved and if they play like that, they’ll be hard to beat up there.”
Jarrod Korewha and Tim McIntyre booted four goals each for the Saints, while new recruit Darcy Russell slotted three for the Kangaroos.
Blair McCutcheon (rolled ankle) and Lachie Rhook (shoulder) are expected to benefit from the Saints’ bye next weekend.