TSL TIGERS POUNCE ON LOVELL

THE TSL Tigers have swooped on another boom recruit, this time former Hawthorn midfielder Kieran Lovell. Lovell returns to the Twin Ovals after three years as a Hawk, playing two senior games and being a member of this year’s VFL premiership with Box Hill. He joins the likes of Huonville forward Michael Paul, Elijah Reardon from Cygnet and former NEAFL, VFL and Burnie player Jarryd Drew as recruits at the Tigers for 2019.

CARLTON has ruled out recruiting a matureage replacement for Sam Docherty and is confident the injured co-captain’s spot can be filled internally.

The Blues believe the returning Tom Williamson, former Swan Nic Newman or even No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh can hold down Docherty’s half-back position next season.

The club will fill the two vacant positions on its list under new rules, but won’t be calling on veterans such as Brendon Goddard, Kyle Cheney or Bernie Vince.

The incoming players won’t necessarily be running defenders either, with Carlton preferring to take the best available, regardless of position.

The Blues were among a host of clubs that already had one rookie spot available for a supplemental selection period (SSP) signing, but will gain an extra spot once they move luckless knee victim Docherty to their longterm injury list.

A host of established names have been linked with moves to Ikon Park, but Carlton remains conscious it is in rebuild mode and will go down a younger route.

The acquisition of Collingwood free agent Alex Fasolo and Tom Bugg from Melbourne in the rookie draft also means the Blues have already played their mature-age card.

Previously, clubs couldn’t replace players who had suffered season-ending injuries or who had unexpectedly retired after list lodgement deadlines had fallen. But the AFL’s recently introduced pre-season SSP rules now enable clubs to replenish their lists.