CLASH LEAVES CLUBS SHORT OF STARS
CITY of Geelong’s quest to replicate last week’s good form may have taken a hit, with two of their stars heading north to contest the Australian over-60s championships.
In a scheduling clash, City of Geelong’s Craig Elliott and Veronica Kelly will join Queenscliff’s Steve Sullivan and miss tomorrow’s Round 3 matches as they journey to Ettalong, New South Wales, to defend their national over-60s crown. Elliott and Kelly will miss the home game against Torquay, but will be hoping their teammates can get the job done.
“Last week was a terrific win away from home — Zane Lugg’s four was the difference, winning by 12,” Elliott said.
Tomorrow, Lance Kelly takes the reins and Steve Thorley will come in playing third, while Darren Hillman will make his debut for City’s top team in the lead position.
Torquay has received some reinforcement with the return of their backbone, Alan Sampson.
Sampson has missed the opening two games with injury but returns for the important clash as they look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Ocean Grove.
“We will take as many positives as we can out of every loss,” Torquay selector Joe Issell said. “We are familiar with the City of Geelong team, having gone head-to-head in Division 1 in the last couple of years. For us it’s a great chance to make it two from three.”
Highton enters tomorrow’s match with Queenscliff at home with an element of confidence.
“We are a side with a more professional attitude,” Highton’s Graeme Wright said.
“We should have pushed Eastern Park a bit harder and been closer, but a few of us were below our best.”
Queenscliff has returned back-to-back wins with both games on carpet so far and Wright said his side was looking forward to the match-up on grass.
“They have resorted to playing on carpet, so hopefully our grass green provides us an advantage,” he said.
Last year’s Geelong region singles champion, Ray Butler, has been given the chance to step up for Queenscliff to fill the role of their champion skipper Sullivan.
Eastern Park heads to Drysdale and coach Nathan Bush was happy with his side’s response last week against Highton.
“We responded from a disappointing Round 1 performance,” Bush said.
“Execution and standard still needs work and we expect to continue to improve,” he said.
Bareena will be aiming for its first win, hosting Lara, and the two Ocean Grove teams go head to head.