Missing players from grand final rematch

New North Albany coach Craig Dew has wasted no time putting his stamp on the reigning premiers, declaring a number of league regulars will be forced to bide their time in the reserves to start the new Great Southern Football League season.

Speaking honestly yesterday in the lead-up to round 1 in their grand final rematch with Railways, Dew said players including the likes of spearhead Daniel Parker and wingman Nathan Crudeli were no certainties to play.

“A couple of guys have had cricket commitments and haven’t had a full pre-season,” he said.

“In the initial rounds, preference will be given to guys who’ve done the pre-season.

“Daniel Parker, Nathan Crudeli and Grant Freeborough are three that haven’t done a full pre-season.

“I would think they will come back through the twos.

“In saying that, it’s not a done deal.

“Parker and Crudeli are not ruled out, and it will be discussed at team selection tonight.”

Dew predicted up to seven premiership players would be missing from the grand final replay, ruling a line through stars Geoff Wynne and Joel Coyne, while Marcus Trevenen, Stuart Myers, Christoff Cronje and Corey Rogers will also not be there on Saturday.

New recruit Elliott Smith has impressed and will debut for the club, while the premiers will also welcome back the returning Nick Barrow and injured duo Stef Ericson and Alec Haskins, who both missed the end of 2015.

Dew said several strong performers from the colts and reserves last season had made strong cases to be in the opening round side.

“It’s going to be tough this week (at selection),” he said.

“We don’t really have any injury concerns and everyone is available, but it’s a nice problem to have.”

Tigers coach Wayne Stubber also declared changes to the side that lost to the Kangas by six points in the pulsating 2015 decider.

Youngsters Bailey Bennett and Riley Quilty will be missing, Bodhi Clifton and Hansen Amann have left and injured duo Kris Cramer and Michael Parker make up the six grand final players.

Stubber declared new captain Bodhi Stubber fit to face the Kangas and said his side would be near full strength.

“I don’t think there will be too many surprises (in selection), but a few of the reserves players who had done the work pre-season will be rewarded,” he said.

Charlie Punch Medallist Dylan Schorer is among the new Tiger faces, and Stubber said forward Zak Hortin should be right to go, despite tweaking a hamstring last week.

“We regard North as still the benchmark of the competition,” he said.

“I think we have had a good pre-season and played four scratch matches which hopefully will hold us in good stead.”