Backline move key in Roos’ maiden victory

ANAKIE coach Chris Moore completed the matchwinning move of the weekend, pushing recruit Tim Van Zyl down back to help cement his side’s maiden win.

Moore initially lined up at centre-half forward against East Geelong on Saturday as the Roos also welcomed back ruckman Luke Wilson and key forward Jeremy Sluggett.

The Roos were made to work for their win after going goalless in the opening quarter before clicking into gear in the second quarter on their way to the 9.14 (68) to 6.7 (43) win.

After the Eagles shot out to an early lead, Moore shifted the former Corio and Geelong West defender down back and it helped turn the tide.

“His (Van Zyl) run and dash was one of the reasons we recruited him and he’s starting to do that week in and week out,” Moore said.

Van Zyl and key defender Mitch White will now face an Inverleigh forward line without reigning Whitley medallist Jak Kennedy-Hunt, who is battling a quad complaint.

Regardless, the pair will still have to nullify key forward Jason Bourke who has kicked 14 goals in the past two weeks.

“It was Pup’s (White) best game for a long time, he’s been battling with injuries and we have managed him every week to get him up for the games,” Moore said.

“It’s not ideal. We’d love to rest him and get him right but he’s had to battle each week given our injury list.”

The Roos’ back six will also be complemented by Jake Butcher and Lachlan Cameron, who kept Jayden Ettridge goalless last week.

They will need to target Nathan Mayes, who kicked nine goals against Corio before an inaccurate tally of 4.8 at West Oval.

“Jake Butcher has also been fantastic down back, he’s one that just goes to another level and he’s in the best just about every week,” Moore said.