Injury woes force Tigers to remodel attack plan for Coutas clash

TORQUAY is set to remodel its attack end as it braces for life without star Sarah Bumpstead.

Bumpstead injured her ankle in the gritty three-goal win over reigning premier Modewarre last weekend and could spend up to a month on the sidelines. It was the only negative for the Tigers, who stunned the Warriors at Spring Creek Reserve.

“It was pretty bad,” Torquay playing coach Courtney Cuolahan said.

“The goal keeper came out for a ball and she just went over on her ankle. It was no good. She’ll be out for the next four or so weeks, so it means we’ll have to shuffle it around a bit in the attack end.

“She flew out to Thailand the next day and that probably didn’t help with her recovery, but I’m sure she’s doing everything right over there. That was the only dampener from the day.”

Bumpstead was due back from Thailand in time to lineup against Queenscliff today, but will now watch from the sidelines.

Cuolahan will now make changes to the attack end in preparation for the Coutas.

“Krystin Trewin, who can play wing attack, will slot in there a bit more often and Jacoba Burns will probably play more wing defence,” Cuolahan said.

“We probably just won’t have as much variation through the midcourt without Sarah.”

Tipped to finished fourth this season by the Geelong Advertiser, the Tigers claimed a major scalp with their 43-40 win over the Warriors, but Cuolahan was always quietly confident.

“I’m not surprised that when we got it all together we could match it with them, but Round 1 hasn’t been a good match for us in the past,” Cuolahan said.