Crocs focus on tricky Eagles after spell of off-field drama
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CHF FF Z Smith B Piggott C McAdam P Liddle B Schwarze Foll S Smith Inter SOUTHERN DISTRICTS WANDERERS TODAY, 4PM, NORBUILT OVAL K Dingo E Barlow C Currie J Farrer W Farrer R O’Brien SHANNON Rusca has played down suggestions off-field concerns could shift the playing focus away from his Southern Districts players.
The ladder-leading Crocodiles meet the unpredictable Wanderers at Fred’s Pass after a week in which the club was placed under the spotlight for Inter EAGLESI T Brook M Bowden D Barry M Rosier J Roe-Duggan K Davis reasons not associated with any on-field action.
The wrong spelling of recruit Blake Piggott’s surname during the registration process has already resulted in the loss of match points, although the Crocodiles are confident they can be retrieved through an appeal.
What matters for Rusca in the immediate future is dealing with a Wanderers side that has won two of its past three games at Norbuilt Oval.
“The boys have trained exceptionally well all week, they’ve left nothing out there,” he told the Sunday Territorian when asked about his side’s match focus.
“They understand what’s going on with the footy club and there was a lot of excite- ment at training, you wouldn’t have known there was anything going on outside game day. It’s been amazing.”
Districts will be without key trio Jared Brennan, Mark Jamar and Gerald Ugle for the 4pm game. But Pierce Liddle and Leroy Jetta are expected to play against the Eagles, who only trail Districts by a game despite a big gap in percentage points.
Queenscliff half forward Justin Maher and utility David Kruze have been added to the Wanderers side that beat Palmerston despite falling asleep in the last quarter.
Cairns goalkicker Kye Chapple is the likely replacement for former Port Adelaide forward Brett Eddy, who booted four goals in an impressive debut against the Magpies.