Anglesea could bring in a mystery player with ‘unique’ skills against Drysdale in a semi-final this Sunday

There’s an air of mystery surrounding Anglesea’s preparation for a semi-final against Drysdale this Sunday, but one thing remains certain in the Roos coach’s mind.

There’s an air of mystery surrounding Anglesea’s preparation for its semi-final with Drysdale, but one thing remains certain: it’s likely to be close down at Portarlington this Sunday.

After a round 2 draw, and the Hawks getting the better of the Roos by 17 points just over a month ago, Anglesea coach Jordan Keras is anticipating another tight one for the third and deciding bout of 2023.

The former Joeys onballer has hinted at up to four changes for the clash, while their leading goal kicker Dylan Pettingill – who hasn’t played in the BFL since a five-goal effort against Barwon Heads in round 16 – still in doubt.

However, Keras said his side was expecting another tight contest with the Hawks.

“It’s always a really good, close contest and I’d imagine it will be the same again this week,” Keras said.

“They’re always close battles.”

Anglesea forward Dylan Pettingill may miss the semi-final against Drysdale. Picture: Mark Wilson

However, the Roos know they can do it without him, with the forward playing just 12 of a possible 19 games this year.

“We’ve played without him for nearly half of the year,” Keras said.

“Nevertheless, it would be nice to slot him in that’s for sure.”

Last Sunday, trailing Modewarre by two points at half time, the Roos unleashed bloody hell in a 7.7 third term blitz to overwhelm the Warriors in an elimination final.

He said the Roos getting the edge in the midfield, plus increased forward line pressure, was crucial in the 32-point win, and it would be no different this weekend against the Hawks at the same ground.

Anglesea coach Jordan Keras sat out the Roos’ round 18 match against Modewarre. Picture: Alan Barber

“I just think our mids got to work (on Sunday),” he said.

“Out fitness levels really came through I thought.

“Our pressure up forward started to lift a bit.

“Our hunt and pressure wasn’t good enough in the first half.

“When we get that right, we find we’re pretty hard to beat, we can pile on goals quickly.”

And his mids’ ability to kick a goal would remain paramount, with Keras and Lachlan Smith both slotting majors against Modewarre: “We’ve got some midfielders kicking goals at the moment which is what we’ve been striving for.”

And in perhaps some old fashioned gamesmanship, Keras has also floated the proposition of a mystery player coming into the squad, bringing “unique” qualities.

The Roos’ mystery player

When probed about likely ins this weekend, Keras dropped a few suggestions: winger Jack Rice, possibly another forward and an unnamed player.

When pushed for a name, Keras was coy.

“He’s quite a unique player, and (has) a unique story,” he said.

“He’ll likely come into our side.

“And if he does play and we win and we play well I’ll tell you a bit more about him.”

Curbing Tom Ruggles and Jake Hargreaves

Keras said Anglesea would roll one of their key defenders onto the former Cat in Ruggles.

Ruggles has snared 60 goals from 19 games this year, including two majors in a losing qualifying final to Barwon Heads.

“Watching some vision back on the weekend, he held up Drysdale when they were under the pump in the first quarter and a half,” Keras said.

“It’s always hard to stop a player like him.”

Drysdale’s forward Tom Ruggles and coach Ben Carmichael Picture: Mark Wilson

Meanwhile, he hinted at lockdown defender Sam Leeds going to Jake Hargreaves, who has 44 goals from as many games as Ruggles.

“He’s taken over, they had a few small forwards who left the club last year,” Keras said.

“Our defensive seven have probably been out strongest line this year.

“We’re not big on having spares as a coach.

“One-on-one all over the ground for us, we think we’re a good one-on-one side.”

Life without Dylan Pettingill

Keras would not go into detail about the forward’s injury but he was hopeful he would run out at Portarlington Reserve on Sunday.

He could be one of up to four players coming back from injury.

“We’re looking at bringing in three or four players back from injury,” Keras said.

“We’re still hopeful of Dyl Pettingill getting into the side.

“We’ll get some more news on his health this week.

“That’s a hard one for me to discuss or disclose at the moment ... we’re still working through that one.

“It’s just a bugger for him at the moment, to be honest.

“He’s a good person and good player.”

Burgeoning belief

With a strong win over defending champions Barwon Heads in round 16, and obliterating the Warriors in a stunning third quarter attack last Sunday, Keras says his team is building some quiet confidence.

And with no injuries to report from either grade last week in dual wins against Modewarre, the Roos were timing their run well.

“We’re a really new group this year,” Keras said.

“I’ve spoken about belief a lot over the past month to six weeks.

“I think this week will be a really interesting experience for our boys, I really feel like the belief is well and truly there now.

“The feeling is that we can do some damage in finals.”

Improving injury list

With winger Rice, and possibly another forward, set to come back into the squad, Keras said the club was enjoying a relatively healthy injury list at this time of year.

He said he was looking at two players “minimum” coming into the team against Drysdale.

“It’s been rare for us this season,” Keras said of the club’s casualty ward.

Jack Rice flies for a mark against Torquay. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“We’ve managed a fair few injuries for a fair while.

“(Rice’s) really exciting and he’s got a few senior games under his belt.

“Wingers are hard to find, he adds a bit of pace to our group and experience.”

Originally published as Anglesea could bring in a mystery player with ‘unique’ skills against Drysdale in a semi-final this Sunday