Old boys heed distress call from Dees
NORTH Hobart has been forced to call on its games record holder to help fill a massive void this weekend caused by players’ unavailability.
The last time Robbie Devine pulled on the Demons jumper in a TSL match was in 2010 — when Burnie, Devonport, South Launceston and Hobart were all part of the competition.
But with the club having 28 players unavailable because of Mariners, state under-16 and 17 selection, school football and injury, the 39-year-old will come out of retirement to play in the Mercury Cup against North Launceston at UTas Stadium.
With the SFL having a bye another former Demon, Andrew Palmer, who has been with Cygnet for the past five years, has also returned to help the battling club. They are following in the footsteps of Ollie Di Venuto, who featured in the seniors last weekend.
“Just as we are improving, this week is a one in a million, we have 28 players unavailable and we are doing our best to get two teams,” Colin Garland said of the Dees’ predicament.
“We are lucky that the SFL and Old Scholars have a bye this week so we have had a few players come and help us out.
“He [Devine] looked good the other day [at training]. Having senior players around, the education he brought, even for myself, was fantastic.
“It is a courageous thing to do as an older player. Ollie Di Venuto came back as a 35, 36year-old last week. It is a courageous thing to put yourself out there at that age to play TSL.
“He acquitted himself really well.”
The Bombers will be without Tom Couch but have named Bart McCulloch.
Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley declared Brady Jones “will definitely” return from ankle surgery for the clash with Launceston after the skipper was a late withdrawal last week.
But midfield sidekick Jackson O’Brien is only a 50-50 proposition to return.
Sonny Whiting leads five inclusions for the Blues.
After illness and injury hit Glenorchy late last week, the Pies look set to regain up to five players for their match against the Tigers, who named Marcus Davies (knee) for his long awaited return alongside Brady Rees.