Portarlington coach Darren Findlay could be excused for thinking the football gods are against him as injuries continue to impact key players.
Former AFL player Connor Menadue has suffered another hamstring issue and will miss tomorrow’s clash with Queenscliff at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.
While Findlay has confirmed captain Mitch Turnbull and ex-VFL recruit Jack Dorgan have concerns that will sideline them well into the second half of the season.
Turnbull and Dorgan both have hand injuries, with the latter to undergo surgery next week.
“At a minimum, if he does get back up, it’s going to be eight to ten weeks,” Findlay said.
However, Tom Panuccio returns after being a late withdrawal from the narrow loss to Anglesea after suffering an injury at work the day before.
“He was doing something at work and cut his knuckle or something, and had to have stitches,” Findlay said.
“He did it on Friday morning, can you believe it? This is when you know it’s not meant to be this year.
“‘Burkey’ (football boss David Burke said to me, ‘There’s a black cat that’s circling this place and it has been for a while. We’ve just got to try to catch it’.”
The Demons have also included Braydon Poole and Dylan O’Brien.
Geelong Falcons-listed Jordan Monahan, Ryson McHenry and Bailey Prato have been named in an extended squad for the Coutas.
Torquay will have access to Geelong VFL midfielder Paddy Hughes for the first time this year for its clash with Drysdale at Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
Hughes, one of four inclusions for the Tigers, was squeezed out of the Cats’ lineup by the call to play Ted Clohesy after he played minimal minutes as the AFL sub last night.
The Tigers have also regained Charlie Ham, Ollie Tate and Tom Diamond as it chases a fifth consecutive win.
They replace Jonti Wylie, Jesse White, Merrick O’Neil, and Seamus Doyle
The Hawks will be boosted by the return of Luke Preece, Matt Gunn and Joel Watson.
Ricky Reid will miss with a hamstring injury, with Jackson Paatsch and Mitch Clark omitted.
Cam O’Leary will play his first game since the 2023 preliminary final among four changes for Barwon Heads as it prepares to take on Modewarre at Mt Moriac Reserve.
The Seagulls have rushed in Cooper Ward, who was granted a clearance from St Joseph’s mid-week, and welcome back James Syddall and Tom Swift.
They replace injured youngster Daniel Shaw and the unavailable trio of Jimmy Allen, Charlie Hurst and Kyle Polley.
Shaw underwent surgery during the week on a fractured scaphoid suffered in the under-18s last week.
The Warriors, who will celebrate Josh Finch breaking the club’s games record, welcome back Ollie Butler.
Geelong Amateur and Ocean Grove have both named debutants for their clash at Queens Park.
Ammos will unveil under-18s product Archer Jacques among three changes.
The Pegs also welcome back veteran big man Hamish Shepheard, while Tom Baker will make his first senior appearance since mid-2023.
They replace Jack Pickering (shoulder), Will Simson and Xavier Muhor.
The Grubbers’ first gamer is Jai Belcher, who, along with playing co-coach Nick Bourke, is one of two inclusions.
They replace former captain Joe McDonald, who is battling a hamstring issue, and the unavailable Campbell Snookes.
Newcomb welcomes back Josh Taylor, Tom Webster and Mason Andrews for its crucial match-up with Anglesea.
However, forward Jacob Watson is sidelined with a shoulder injury, with Peter Gordyn and Tommy Williams unlucky to be omitted.
The Roos have made four changes.
Dylan Featon, Myles Brinkworth, Jack Walters, and Harrison Ling replace Tyler McLeod, James Gray, Jordan Harrison, and Beau Condon.
X: krockfootball
