Jarmyn joins Palmerston for Districts showdown
ANOTHER favourite son of the Southern Districts faithful will be at Freds Pass today — in the rival black and white jumpers of Palmerston.
Bruce Jarmyn, who won the 2006-07 Nichols Medal in between winning two premiership medallions in a Crocodile jumper, will step on to Norbuilt Oval intent on denying Districts coach and great mate Shannon Rusca the four premiership points up for grabs.
The clash between the two rural cousins comes at an important time for both clubs.
Districts need to rebound after a gut-wrenching loss to a persistent Waratahs last week and Magpie coach Dean Rioli wants a close-up look at players he can pick in his best 22 for the remainder of the season.
Rioli is aware of the attention Jarmyn will get from his former home ground when he dons a black and white shirt.
‘‘ Bruce was a champion player at Southern Districts — in my mind one of their very best in a long line of great players to come out of Freds Pass,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m sure a lot of old Districts supporters will reminisce about the old No. 8 jumper and what he did for the club in his time there.’’
Rioli will play six under-18 players in his senior side today, another indication of the focus on youth the former Essendon star wants to introduce at Northline Oval.
‘‘Bruce Jarmyn’s presence and getting Aaron Davey back next week after he completes his obligations with the Indigenous All-Stars in Ireland will be great for these kids and a big plus for Palmerston going forward,’’ he said.
‘‘For us the future is very important, even if there might be a little bit of pain in the process.’’
Districts will field the names that ran out of legs against Waratahs a week ago. Jared Brennan, Brad Dick, Keegan Dingo, Matt Cannard, Ben AhMat and Territory Thunder premiership player Will Farrer head an all-star cast.