WARRNAMBOOL'S forward line has received a welcome boost with multiple century goal-kicker Jason Rowan deemed fit to return from a serious shoulder injury.
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Blues coach Ben Parkinson said Rowan, who feared he'd miss the remainder of the Hampden league season after hurting himself in round three, had honed in on his rehabilitation.
Rowan's comeback will be against South Warrnambool at The Pond on Saturday.
He is one of three inclusions for the Blues, joining debutant Angus Bade, who comes in due to a NAB League bye, and midfielder Thomas Ludeman.
Jackson Bell (knee) and the omitted Aiden Grant and Joel Reinheimer make way.
Parkinson said he was rapt to bring Rowan back.
"It was so disappointing when he got injured after the hype of him coming back (from Merrivale)," he said.
"He's attacked his rehab like he did his season so he's done everything right.
"COVID is a pretty ordinary time for everyone but it was probably lucky (lockdown) gave him an extra two weeks to recover without missing many games.
"It's probably been a three-month injury but he hasn't missed 12 weeks of games. We've had the two scheduled byes and then the two weeks with COVID as well.
"He's only missed around six games in the end."
Bade is a key position backman who has established himself at the GWV Rebels this season.
Parkinson said he would play defence in his senior debut for Warrnambool too.
"We'll back him to do what he would normally do," he said.
"He's quite tall, he's 195cm and he's very quick. I imagine that's why they like him at the Rebels at full-back because he'd have really good closing speed."
South Warrnambool has made five changes, welcoming Fraser Marris (Sydney VFL), Marcus Herbert (NAB League), George Stevens (Vic Country), Joe Dalton and Jett Herrmann.
Liam Mullen and Sam Thompson are unavailable and Harry Lee is out with a knee injury.
Hayden Mitchell and Henry Rhodes are omitted.
South Warrnambool coach Mat Battistello said he was pleased to welcome Dalton into the team after injury.
"It's always especially nice when an ex-player who left the club to travel want to come back," he said.
"He'll add a bit of experience to our side and we certainly see that he will do that in spades.
"He's been a fantastic leader for us, even though he's living in Melbourne.
"He communicates really well with the boys. We're looking forward to seeing that on-field."
Portland has added to its ruck depth for its clash with Koroit at Victoria Park.
Toby Oakley, who moved away before returning early in the season, will complement Ben Malcolm as the Tigers try and plot the Saints' downfall.
The highly-rated Aaron Shepherd also returns to the Tigers' line-up after breaking his nose in his most recent appearance.
Jake Edwards (calf) and Sam Hampshire (finger) will miss.
Portland coach Jarrod Holt said Hampshire faced an extended stint on the sidelines.
"He'd be lucky to play again this year; they're saying six to eight weeks," he said.
"He is a key forward so marking is his thing. If he was a midfielder it might be a little bit different.
"He's been back training, doing some running already."
Koroit brought in NAB League-listed Tom Baulch and premiership player Jayden Watson for Sam Cozens (knee) and Liam O'Sullivan (omitted).
Saints coach Chris McLaren said it was pleasing to add Watson to the side.
"He had some off-season toe surgery so it's a bit of a loading one," he said.
"With heavier grounds (going into winter) before the bye we thought we'd give him a couple of weeks off.
"It is great to have someone like him back in our team."
Cobden has brought in Taj Anderson, Grady Rooke and Tom Spokes for its game against North Warrnambool Eagles at Bushfield.
Tyler Humphrey (ankle), Josh Hickey (back) and Louis Darcy (omitted) make way for the Bombers.
Cobden coach Adam Courtney said he was rapt to add Anderson, who hasn't played since round one with hamstring setbacks, into the side.
"Taj had a really good pre-season and is a good young player," he said.
"He's versatile; he gives us options and he's exceptional by foot."
Terang Mortlake coach Ben Kenna has added Ryan O'Connor, Sam Crawley and Jimmy Moloney for the Bloods' away clash with Camperdown at Leura Oval.
Mitch Carlin, Simon Atkinson and Ollie Martin will miss.
THE TEAMS
SENIORS
WARRNAMBOOL v. SOUTH WARRNAMBOOL
Warrnambool
B: James Chittick, Angus Bade, Angus Lowe
HB: Brad Bull, Rob Bright, Jordan Foott
C: Benedict Howard, Thomas Ludeman, Wil Fleming
HF: Jye Turland, Sam Cowling, Theo Opperman
F: Jed Turland, Jason Rowan, Luke Cody
R: Daniel Weymouth, Mitchell Bidmade, Austin Steere
Int: Adam Sztynda, Louis O'Connor, Josh Irving
In: Thomas Ludeman, Angus Bade, Jason Rowan
Out: Jackson Bell, Joel Reinheimer, Aiden Grant
South Warrnambool
B: Joseph Dalton, Isaac Thomas, Joshua Saunders
HB: Archie Stevens, George Stevens, Fraser Marris
C: Ricky Henderson, Will White, Benjamin Rantall
HF: Samuel Kelly, Marcus Herbert, Peter Doukas
F: Jock Blair, Shannon Beks, Heath Brennan
R: Tim Ryan, Corey Gallichan, Jett Herrmann
Int: Oliver Bridgewater, Liam Youl, Brayden Beks, James Hussey, Patrick Anderson
In: Jett Herrmann, George Stevens, Joseph Dalton, Fraser Marris, Marcus Herbert
Out: Sam Thompson, Henry Rhodes, Liam Mullen, Harrison Lee, Hayden Mitchell
NORTH WARRNAMBOOL v. COBDEN
North Warrnambool
B: Callum Grundy, Joseph McKinnon, Tom James
HB: Luke Wines, Thomas Batten, Bailey Jenkinson
C: Jackson Grundy, Sam James, Harry Keast
HF: Jarryd Lewis, Adam Wines, Dion Johnstone
F: Felix Jones, , Ben Kellett
R: Benjamin Mugavin, Jett Bermingham, Matthew Wines
Int: Jye O'Brien, Ned Timms, Billy Hancocks, Jack Burke, Dylan Parish, Tom Keast
In: Ned Timms, Billy Hancocks, Dylan Parish, Jack Burke, Bailey Jenkinson
Out: Billie Smedts, Baillie Keast, Jordan Dillon
Cobden
B: Samuel Darcy, Ricky Sullivan, Zac Green
HB: Noah Mounsey, Christian Koroneos, Tarj Anderson
C: Sam Thow, Paul Pekin, Jesse Williamson
HF: Thomas Spokes, Ben Berry, Matthew Kemp
F: Louis Cahill, Matthew Clarke, Jack Hutt
R: Mark Marriott, Patrick Smith, Ryleigh Mcvilly
Int: Joshua Woods, Grady Rooke, Nicholas Kemp, Louis Robertson
Emg: Louis Darcy, Harrison Herschell
In: Harrison Herschell, Grady Rooke, Thomas Spokes, Tarj Anderson, Nicholas Kemp
Out: Tyler Humphrey, Joshua Hickey
CAMPERDOWN v. TERANG MORTLAKE
Camperdown
B: Josh Place, Brendan Richardson, Luke O'Neil
HB: Sidney Bradshaw, Billy Arnold, Charlie Brett
C: Zachariah Sinnott, Cameron Spence, Matthew Field
HF: Ned Payne, Isaac Stephens, Bayley Thompson
F: Fraser Lucas, Samuel Gordon, Harry Sumner
R: William Rowbottom, Brayden Draffin, Riley Arnold
Int: Judah Dundon, Dominic Absalom, Timothy Fitzgerald, Toby Kent, Angus Gordon, Charlie Lucas
In: Angus Gordon, Toby Kent, Charlie Lucas, Sidney Bradshaw, Timothy Fitzgerald
Out: Jack Williams, Jason Robinson
Terang Mortlake
B: Declan O'Connor, Dylan Jones, Jack Lehmann
HB: Jarryd Hay, , Gus Bourke
C: Harvey Roberts, Brodhi Carracher, Daniel Kenna
HF: Will Tickner, Christopher Baxter, Kane Johnstone
F: Matthew Baxter, William Kain,
R: Darcy Hobbs, Joseph Arundell, Nathan Murphy
Int: Isaac Kenna
To be selected from:
Matthew Arundell, Samuel Crawley
In: Samuel Crawley
Out: Simon Atkinson, Oliver Martin, Mitchell Carlin
KOROIT v. PORTLAND
Koroit
B: Dylan McCutcheon, Tim Martin, Frazer Robb
HB: William Couch, Dallas Mooney, Benjamin Dobson
C: Liam Hoy, Timothy McIntyre, Sam Dobson
HF: Liam M O'Sullivan, Jack O'Sullivan, Jack Block
F: Todd White, Timothy McPherson, Sam Cozens
R: Jeremy Hausler, Alex Pulling, Brett Harrington
Int: Clem Nagorcka, Taylor McKenry, Paddy O'Sullivan
Portland
B: Harold Pritchard , Josh Edwards, Connor Peters
HB: Paul Proctor, Jake Wilson, David Denboer
C: Jack Walsh, Toby Jennings, Jason Walker
HF: Kade Lovell, Thomas Sharp, Jackson Dunlop
F: Toby Oakley, Aaron Shepherd, Harry McIntyre
R: Ben Malcolm, Daniel Jackson, Josh Jenner
Int: Kyle Richardson, Harrison Hampshire, Nathan Valori
In: Toby Oakley, Aaron Shepherd
Out: Sam Hampshire, Jake Edwards
PORT FAIRY v. HAMILTON KANGAROOS
Port Fairy
B: Aaron Williams, , Murray Staude
HB: Jake Hamilton, Josh Dwyer, Hamish Gleeson
C: Tyler Hetherington, Kurt Smith, Aaron McInnes
HF: Bj Dalton, Xavier Stevens, Lochie Gunning
F: George Swarbrick, Jake Bartlett, Shane Savage
R: Jack Carter, Isaac Martin, Andrew McMeel
Int: Jordan Coulton
To be selected from:
Oliver Myers
Out: John Anthony Bell, Saul Giblin
Hamilton Kangaroos
B: Bailey Mason, Jack Hickey, Ryan Sigley
HB: Christopher Quinn, Taine Morris, Thomas Scott
C: Brady Hicks, Rory Gill, Kobi Walter
HF: Duncan Rentsch, Hugh Douglas, Riley Alexander
F: Luke Uebergang, Darcy Russell, Noah Uebergang
R: Cameron Whyte, Charles Murrie, Hamish Waldron
Int: Jack English, Max Green, Luke Barnes
To be selected from:
Angus Noske
Justine McCullagh-Beasy
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Sports journalist with an interest in feature reporting. Email: justine.mc@austcommunitymedia.com.au
