Bay ‘smashed with injury’ before crucial tie

APOLLO Bay is set to be without almost half its senior team as it prepares for a crucial clash against Colac Imperials.

The Hawks, who were hurt by injury and subsequently missed the finals in 2016, face problems fielding two teams against Imps tomorrow.

“We’ve been smashed with injury,” Bay coach Craig Rippon said.

“We’ll have up to nine seniors players out this week. There’s been hamstrings, ankles, ribs, back and we’ve got three unavailable. We’ve got that injury curse again.”

Ten first-choice senior players won’t make the trip to Colac, with Dusty Walter (back/neck), Josh Onderwater (unavailable), Chris Hilet (hamstring), Martin White (arm), Shamus Morrissy (hamstring), Karl McSparron (ankle), Lee Hickey (unavailable), Danny McGill (work), Casey McDonald (ribs) and Ezra Robertson (ankle) ruled out.

“It’s just disappointing,” Rippon added.

“You work hard in the preseason to develop a strong list and then you get injuries. But we’ve just got to deal with it. We’ve got interleague in a few weeks and I hope all of them with be available after that.”

There’s a silver lining amid the injury crisis, with Billy Bernet named to debut.

“If gives our kids an opportunity,” Rippon said.

“With a bit of luck we’ll have a couple of new players debut. There will be two or three kids make their debut as well.

Bernet received the nod last night, while the Hawks’ coaching staff were set to make a call on a host of other youngsters last night at training.

In other news, Birregurra dominates the CDFL’s initial interleague side.

The Saints have nine representatives including Andrew and Christian Kelly, James Rowan, Michael Davis, Sam Green, Jack Moorfoot, Josh Weatherhead and Michael Bolitho.

South Colac and IrrewarraBeeac have five players each. COLAC IMPERIALS v APOLLO BAY