North Adelaide drops Luke Mitchell and Jesse O’Brien for South Adelaide game
NORTH Adelaide gun recruits Luke Mitchell and Jesse O’Brien have been sent back to the reserves in a bid to retrieve form.
NORTH Adelaide gun recruits Luke Mitchell and Jesse O’Brien have been sent back to the reserves in a bid to retrieve form.
The talented duo were surprise omissions from the side to confront South Adelaide in a crucial contest at Noarlunga on Saturday.
Not so surprising, however, is the naming of former Port Adelaide on-baller Daniel Kulikowski in the 23-man squad after signing with the club last Friday.
Kulikowski played the opening 10 rounds of the VFL with Williamstown before opting to return to Adelaide.
O’Brien rejoined to the Roosters this season after a stint with Brisbane while Mitchell was recruited from Carlton to be the go-to weapon deep in attack.
“Luke has been quiet for the past month and there are a few areas of his game the coaching group want to see him improve,’’ Roosters football manager Darryl Wintle said.
“Hopefully he’ll be able to go back to the reserves and find some form.
“Jesse needs to find the football and a run in the reserves will give him a chance to do that and enjoy himself. He is hard on himself.’’
Alex Barns has been promoted to the league side to replace Mitchell and also gives coach Ken McGregor another option to use in ruck.
“Alex has been very good in the reserves and has been knocking on the door,’’ Wintle said.
Aleksander Kangur and Luke Teasdale have also been included in the extended squad.
The Panthers were forced to alter their line-up after losing Caleb Daniel to the state under-18 side while Josh Giddings has been omitted.
Experienced defenders Brad Crabb and Josh Thewlis have been named in the 23-man squad along with John McDonald and Tom Fields.
The Roosters and Panthers are coming off a loss.
West Adelaide will be without Michael Still for Friday night’s battle against Adelaide at Richmond after he was ruled out with a hamstring complaint.
Aaron Anderson, Richard Newell and Nick Homburg are the options to come into the side which will go into the game buoyant after inflicting just the second defeat on competition pacesetters Port Adelaide.