Selectors snub Bombers’ best

LAUDERDALE coach Darren Winter says hard-nut onballer Phil Bellchambers should have been considered for state selection this season.

Bellchambers is back for the Bombers along with defender Ryan Wiggins for their Round 19 TSL clash with the Hobart City Demons at Lauderdale tomorrow.

Winter said Bellchambers and Wiggins were two big ins.

“It’s massive for us,” he said. “Wiggins has been dominating at centre half-back for us since his move to the backline and Bellchambers has been our best onballer. It’s really important to have two players of their quality back for a game like this.”

Winter said Bellchambers, who was once his apprentice baker at Windy’s cafe in Lauderdale, had played well enough to earn higher honours.

“He works hard, he breaks the lines, he can play back, he can play forward and he’s one of the best midfielders in the competition,” he said.

“That’s exactly the type of player you want to have playing for the state.

“I think he should have played for Tasmania this year, but for some reason he keeps getting overlooked.”

Lauderdale heads into the match after a 78-point thumping of Burnie at West Park. There was not a lot the Bombers could take out of the match other than a percentage boost. “I was really pleased that the boys were able to completely change the game plan to adapt to atrocious conditions,” Winter said.

“It was really wet and it was really windy. I don’t think we’ll see conditions as bad as that for a while.”

One of Lauderdale’s key ball-movers, Shaun McManus, strained his hamstring in the second quarter and was unable to play on.

“We don’t take any risks with hamstrings,” Winter said.

“He won’t play this week against Hobart City and we’ll probably rest him again next week against Clarence.”

The Bombers have the bye in the final round, meaning McManus won’t play again until the finals.

The Demons promoted Will Hay, Kyle Wisniewski, Sam Caswell and Jack McCulloch.

Meanwhile, Launceston named ruckman Nathan O’Donoghue for its clash with Devonport at Devonport Oval.