Wounded Tigers set for reprieve

INJURY-RIDDLED Bannockburn is set to receive a boost, with key forward Kieran Fulton to return against Werribee Centrals this weekend.

Fulton, who missed the clash against East Geelong last week due to illness, is among a host of Tigers who will take to the field after overcoming injuries.

Mark Banks and Graeme Younger will be named in the reserves, while Ben Stretton must pass a fitness test.

It’s a timely reprieve for Bannockburn, which remains without stars Brent Jacques and Matt Tyquin.

“We had eight out last week,” Tigers co-coach Peter Riccardi said.

“Jacques is a week or two away, Matt Tyquin is two weeks away and Ben Stretton is a question mark for this week.

“He is just a week by week proposition now. Once he can start jumping without any pain, that’s when he’ll start playing.

“Tim Arklay is only a 30 per cent chance of playing for the rest of the year. He’s got work commitments on Saturday, so he’ll train with us but we’ll pretty much rule him out for the rest of the year.

“Mark Banks comes back through the twos and Graham Younger will play his first game in the twos and he’s another one that we’ve recruited who hasn’t had a chance to play yet.”

Michael Stevenson has only added to the Tigers’ pain, heading overseas for a week, while Ryan Bowdern is set for an extended period on the sidelines after dislocating his elbow against the Eagles.

And while the injury curse has hurt Bannockburn at times this season, Riccardi believes it has strengthened his side’s resolve.

“We don’t have to rely on these players,” he said.

“I know it will make our list a lot stronger, but we’re putting a lot of game time into our younger players like Hayden Spiller, who is 16, and Billy McIntosh, who is 18.

“Caleb Slotegraaf played his first game for the year and Brayden Vicars is another player who has put his hand up and they’re getting opportunities.

“It will make us stronger, but they’ve got to put these guys out now, which is a positive. “We can afford to give them one or two games in the twos to get their match fitness up.”