North Geelong youngster Rory Desnoy has been declared fit for Saturday’s GDFNL grand final clash against East Geelong after overcoming a shoulder injury.
The gun midfielder has been sidelined since Round 16 after damaging his AC joint, with Magpies coach Peter Riccardi confirming on K rock Football’s Beyond the Boundary podcast that Desnoy will take on the Eagles.
“He got cleared last week,” Riccardi said. “He’s trained for the last two weeks.
“(He) fully trained yesterday (Tuesday) – full contact – and he’ll do the same Thursday (tonight).
“Unless something happens at training, he’ll definitely be there.”
Riccardi says a decision on who Desnoy replaces won’t be made until later today.
However, with Desnoy carrying three points after arriving at Keith Barclay Oval from GFNL club Leopold ahead of the 2024 season, North Geelong is limited in who it can omit.
Six players carried three points or more in the second semi-final win over the Eagles: Osca Riccardi, Jasper George, Ben O’Brien, Jordan Purcell, Pat Cleary, and Terry Tseros.
“It’s going to be a tough call because you’ve only got a select few to choose (from) because Rory’s a three-pointer,” Riccardi said.
“It’s got to a three or above because we’re at max capacity with our points.”
Meanwhile, East coach Ned Aulsebrook says they will take in the same team that defeated Bell Post Hill in the preliminary final.
“I feel like our hard luck stories have been dripfed over the last month as guys have come back (from injury),” he said.
“Jude Payne’s played a lot of footy this year, and a young fella who’s done a great job just had to make way for Johnny McIntyre and Jack Dickson.
“Lachie Zimmer, also, with the points squeeze. He’s far too good to be running around at 11:45 am on the weekend, but another hard luck story.
“Will Hough. Superstar. He’s one of my favourite players; he’s the coach’s pet. He couldn’t quite get that hamstring right at the right time.
“And Jake Nolan, who’s been doing a job everywhere on the board for us whenever we need it.
“He had an injury at the wrong time and couldn’t get back.
X: @krockfootball
