Sharks weigh up tall in wet weather
SOUTHPORT coach Stephen Daniel has hinted at a late change to the NEAFL Round 14 side that will take on Aspley at home today.
Tall American ruckman Alex Aurrichio has been named to replace Josh Hall, unavailable due to work commitments, as the only change to the side that beat Northern Territory by 15 points at Fankhauser Reserve.
But the weather could change that, with Daniel declaring he would likely take Aurrichio back out of the side and replace him with a smaller player if it was too wet.
Southport have named Tom Fields (192cm), Tom Miller (184cm) and Dylan Mutu (175cm) as emergencies, opening the door for one of them to play.
The Sharks hold second on the NEAFL ladder while Aspley are in fifth but little has separated the two teams over the past two seasons.
“They are really tough conditions to play in but it is what it is,” Daniel said.
“We are not too bad in these conditions but it makes for a real contest.
“Aspley are pretty good in the contest too.
“Aspley and us are pretty similar teams. We might sit second on the ladder and they are fifth but last year and this year there is not much difference between the two.”
Mitch Johnson responded to his recent axing by kicking a goal and making eight tackles, the most of his Sharks career, against Northern Territory.
“He has been pretty good since coming back,” Daniel said.
“He is a quality bloke. He went back, did what he had to do and worked on the areas we asked of him and then came back in last week and played his role.
“We are not after kicking goals all the time.”
WE ARE NOT TOO BAD IN THESE CONDITIONS BUT IT MAKES FOR A REAL CONTEST
SHARKS COACH STEPHEN DANIEL