Ace out so time to play a Jack
GARY Ablett’s niggling hamstring has struck again, forcing the two-time Brownlow Medallist back to the sidelines for Gold Coast’s trip to Cairns.
It’s a cruel blow for the Suns, whose hopes of snapping a two-game losing streak had already been dented by the injury-forced absences of cocaptain Steven May (hamstring) and form midfielder Jarryd Lyons (ankle).
After playing eight straight games at the start of the season, the Round 18 clash with reigning premiers Western Bulldogs will be the third match Ablett has missed in the past five weeks.
The injury curse opens the door for two teenagers – Brayden Fiorini and debutant Jack Scrimshaw – to join the team, along with Jesse Lonergan.
Scrimshaw, 18, learnt of his dream call-up on Tuesday after being driven to improve by seeing four other first-year AFL players debut for the Suns before him this season.
Now it’s his turn, filling the shoes of May.
Having latched on to Scrimshaw with draft pick No.7, the Suns view him as a vital cog in their future and want to blood him at AFL level to allow him to develop further.
“Hopefully he plays well and stays the rest of the year but I think it is more an appetiser for him to learn about the game at this level and head into the pre-season to show what he can work on,” coach Rodney Eade said.
Scrimshaw said the debuts of fellow draftees Ben Ainsworth, Jack Bowes, Will Brodie and Brad Scheer had brought a positive impact on him.
“It has made me a lot more motivated I guess to work my craft in the NEAFL and build up,” he said.
“But yeah look I knew probably at the time when they were all debuting, I felt I wasn’t ready.
“Now I feel like I am ready.” The Victorian left-footer said he had developed his defensive game considerably since arriving on the Coast.
“Coming from under-18s footy it is all about chasing the footy and not really focusing too much on defence so I think I was able to work my way up through the NEAFL and really prove my defence in that way,” he said.
Eade noted Scrimshaw had been close to debuting last weekend against Collingwood and said he will bring several qualities to the side.
“His kicking ability, his ability in the air and for a guy who is as tall as he is, he has got very good lateral movement,” Eade said.
Scrimshaw’s housemate Jack Bowes meanwhile is set to play in front of his hometown crowd at Cazalys Stadium.