Taking on more of a load no tall order for Crossley
TEAMMATES have backed Brayden Crossley to thrive on the upcoming ruck challenge he faces against Essendon in the wake of an injury that will keep Fraser Thurlow sidelined for the rest of the regular season.
Crossley stood tall in the Sharks win over Sydney last week, taking on the rucking duties for virtually the entire game after Thurlow hurt his hamstring in the opening seconds.
The club hopes Thurlow will be back for the finals while his injury has opened the door for developing tall Riley Bowman, who has been playing for QAFL team Broadbeach, to get a call up.
“Even though he is 22 his leadership around the club is really good,” Sharks teammate Tom Fields said as the Sharks prepare to host the Bombers at Fankhauser Reserve in Round 18 of the VFL on Sunday.
“He embraced the challenge last week and he has such a great care for the club. He thrives on the adversity.
“Riley has put in some really good performances for Broadbeach. He is a young, developing ruckman but I’d back him in to come and play his role if he gets selected. It just depends with the wet weather whether we go small or tall.”
Fields was the hero in the corresponding 2021 fixture where he was marked by AFL premiership player Alex Rance on occasion, booting the winning goal in the dying seconds to seal the win for a Southport team that had trailed for the entire game.
“It was a really special win for our club,” Fields said.
“We were a little off that day and Essendon are a big and prestigious club. It was a great scalp.”
The Aussie Rules team has been forced on to hockey fields and football clubs in the past month in order to find dry ground to train on but it hasn’t stopped its momentum.
Southport remains second on the ladder at 12-2 and with three games left in the regular season, it is close to cementing the home final that comes with a top two finish.
Sunday’s game will start at 12.05pm.