Advertisement

Falcons boosted by APS players

June 6, 2019 9:30 pm in by
Geelong Falcons coach Luke Daffy addresses his players during the 2019 season. (Geelong Falcons Image/Brian Barlett)

GEELONG Falcons will take a vastly different looking team into Saturday’s clash with Sandringham Dragons in Ballarat with a dozen Geelong College and Grammar players available for selection.

Coach Luke Daffy says their inclusion, which includes debutants Noah Gadsby, Blake Reid, James Paterson, Kyle Skene and Sam Witherden, brother of Brisbane Lion Alex, is a welcome boost for the Falcons, who have just one win from eight starts in 2019.

“They’re all pretty excited. They’ve trained really well for us since the pre-season began, and I know they’re playing really good footy at school, too,” Daffy said.

Article continues after this ad
Advertisement

“I think they’re going to bring a bit of energy to the group. It will look very different.

“It’s definitely the strongest we’ve been in the last 4-6 weeks.”

Despite the many changes, Oscar Barrow and Jack Sarcevic, who debuted last week in the loss to Eastern Ranges, have held their spots.

“Both of them played their roles really well,” Daffy said.

“Oscar played down back, and in some one-on-one contests we thought he defended really well.

Article continues after this ad
Advertisement

“’Sarc’ was exciting. He kicked a really good goal from the boundary but also gave us some good pressure forward of the footy.

“He seemed to pick up the standard of the footy really quickly, and I think that’s a result of the work he’s done with Bell Park.”

Sandringham sits second on the TAC Cup ladder, but their line-up is likely to be affected by Vic Metro commitments.

“They’re a really good side. They’ve got 13 players who played last week for Vic Metro, so I’m not sure what their side will look this week,” Daffy said.

“But we know they’ll be strong and they move the ball really well, and they like to control it.

Article continues after this ad
Advertisement

“We’re going to try and be pretty aggressive with our ball movement this week and really attack the corridor if we can.

“But, to begin with, we ask the players to really compete because against good sides, if you don’t bring that effort and intensity around the contest, then they (Sandringham) tend to get the game going on their terms a fair bit.

© AAP 2019
Twitter: @tom_king79

NAB LEAGUE ROUND 10

GEELONG FALCONS (16th) vs. SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS (2nd)

Article continues after this ad
Advertisement

MARS Stadium – Ballarat

Saturday, June 8, 11:30am

[supsystic-tables id=’8′]

Advertisement