Warrnambool moves teenage footballer Harry Ryan into defence

O'Brien said Harry Ryan's strength and versatility reminded him of former Terang Mortlake captain-turned Koroit premiership player Damian O'Connor.

"He's a little bit like Damian and could turn into a player like that," he said.

Ryan returns to the Blues' line-up to face North Warrnambool Eagles in a top-of-the-table clash at Bushfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

The teenager, who trained with NAB League side Greater Western Victoria Rebels in the off-season, has been earmarked to play in defence.

Ryan played 13 senior games in 2018, kicking 13 goals playing forward.

"He developed into a crafty forward with us and now we'll give him a run down back," O'Brien said.

"We don't want to pigeon hole him. We might even give him a run onball.

"He's been playing centre half-back in the under 18s and been doing really well.

"He's a heavy-bodied defender. He is pretty versatile.

"He can ruck in the under 18s and he had a little bit of a go at that last year."

Ryan comes in for the injured Sam Wilson as a like-for-like replacement down back.

Wilson, who returned to the Blues this year after a stint in the Warrnambool and District league, has been one of their most reliable players across the first four rounds.

He will miss with a bruised coccyx bone.

O'Brien is unsure when Wilson will return but is hopeful it's a short-term injury.

"It's a tricky one. We have the bye and after that we expect him to be OK," he said.

"But you can't carry them in because you can't run properly.

"It's an awkward injury. A little knock and you're back to square one."

Wilson is the only omission from the Blues' round three side.

Warrnambool is coming off a shock win over reigning premier Koroit at Victoria Park.

The Blues, who are averaging a staggering 133 points per game, are cautious of getting caught up in their impressive 4-0 start to the season.

"We had a de-brief Tuesday night about the Koroit game and towards the end we moved on and we picked up on (Carlton coach) Brendon Bolton's comments after the Blues' loss to North Melbourne," O'Brien said.

"He identified they were not quite switched on mentally and you get punished.

"I made a point to our players that we're not good enough to only be 90 per cent switched on.

"Our training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday nights were disciplined I thought."

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