Big test for young Pies

IT may have regained a trio of big names for today’s semifinal clash with North Launceston at UTas Stadium, but Glenorchy will again look to its younger brigade of Pies to step up with a TSL grand final berth up for grabs.

After losing star Jaye Bowden to an ankle injury last week, the Pies will head into the game hoping their younger players can share the load against a well-rested North Launceston side that lost just two games for the season and finished atop the ladder — albeit with one of those losses to the Pies.

“In most successful teams there are [fringe players], because you need to have those players who are playing really well in the development league [to put the pressure on the other guys],” Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy said.

One of those players was last week’s late call-up Brodie Rowbottom, who despite the return of experienced names in Josh Grant, Rhys Mott and Zac Webster, held his spot for today’s game after a four-goal performance against the Blues.

“For the last few weeks we have been saying to the younger guys around the edge to stick at it because you never know what happens,” Kennedy said.

Webster’s return will be an important one for the Pies after he made his comeback from injury in the development league last week, finishing with three goals.

“In terms of game fitness, he is not at his optimum, but at the same time we can get some rotations happening which will allow him to get some extra rest," Kennedy said. “His knowledge of how to defend in a team setting and how to play big grounds is really valuable.”