Winter may reload with youth bomb
LAUDERDALE coach Darren Winter has not ruled out throwing a debutant into the cauldron of a TSL preliminary final against Launceston tomorrow.
The Bombers will be forced to make one change with ruckforward Toutai Havea serving a one-match ban from last week’s second semi thrashing, with Winter still mulling over who will slot in to the 22.
Campbell Hooker, Liam Meagher, Sam Adams and Corey Laoumtzis have been named the emergencies for the side’s first two finals — Laoumtzis was a late inclusion for Max Kleverkamp against Clarence — but Winter admits he is tempted to inject some excitement as his team looks to rebound from the 94-point mauling by North Launceston.
Meagher was last night named as the inclusion, but Winter could yet swing a surprise on game day.
“We have a few options. There are guys who haven’t played senior footy before that are still training like [Cooper] Best and [Alex] Brewster and these sort of guys,” Winter said.
“We could throw a smoky in there and give them an opportunity just to bring a bit of excitement into the team. We have Liam Meagher who is a genuine ruckman and key position player. He has played a fair bit of senior footy this year.
“Cam Hooker has done the same, Sam Adams too.
“There is a bit of rain coming Saturday as well, so we might go smaller. We really don’t know yet.
“We have plenty of options, it could be a smoky. We are not hanging our hat on the last person into the team. It is more about the whole team and how we set up and structure up.”
Regardless of who Lauderdale settles on, big man Hayden Smith will be asked to shoulder more responsibility with Havea on the sidelines.
Smith was among the best players on the ground against Clarence in the qualifying final, but had his colours lowered against Lewis Hollmer last week.
Launceston looks set to go with the same outfit that sent the Roos packing from the flag race in straight sets.
“We are looking good at this stage — likely to be none to limited changes,” coach Sam Lonergan said.