KEY forward Robbie Hare will return for Allansford on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hare missed the Cats’ loss to Kolora-Noorat last week through suspension.
Allansford will need Hare at his best if it is to be competitive against premiership favourite Nirranda.
The Cats have lost their last two games and have dropped to sixth on the ladder.
Allansford coach Ben Price said Hare would be a valuable asset.
“With the rain they are predicting, it won’t be a day for high-marking forwards,” Price said.
“But Robbie’s big body won’t get any smaller and he has a good tank so he will spend time running through the middle.”
Nirranda brings impeccable form into the game, having triumphed in its last two encounters by more than 100 points. The Blues have lost Jason Lee to harness racing driving commitments but have included Aaron Searle, who was away last week.
Old Collegians and South Rovers meet in the match of the day at Walter Oval.
Due to an unusual draw, the Warriors have played just one game since May 12.
Coach Josh Reichman said his men were ready to go.
“The last couple of weeks the numbers have been really good at training,” Reichman said.
“We have been in reasonable form but there are always things you can improve.
“South Rovers were really good against us last year and they have added a few to their list since then so we won’t be taking them lightly.”
Veteran onballer Nathan Forth, forward Daniel Weel and backman Joe Kenna are additions to the Old Collegians team from when they last played.
Panmure welcomes back experienced pair Shaun Griffin and Matt Smith for its clash with Merrivale. Ruckman Michael Boyd is also back in the line-up.
Bulldogs coach Tim Condon said the inclusions would provide a boost to his young team.
“We have been pretty good in most games, it’s just those clumps of goals we haven’t been able to stop the good sides kicking,” Condon said.
“Having a few more experienced blokes back will help us in those situations.
“We just need to keep working on playing consistent footy across four quarters.
“The weather looks like it’s going to be pretty rough on Saturday so if we can get some early goals we can put ourselves in the game.”