Bulldogs, Roosters given new hope

MARK Mickan has two pieces of good news for North Adelaide and Central District supporters.

MARK Mickan has two pieces of good news for North Adelaide and Central District supporters.

No. 1, key defender Adam Hartlett will resume this Saturday against Woodville-West Torrens after serving a three match ban for misconduct.

No. 2, the Bloods are determined to end the Eagles season despite having nothing to play for and Mad Monday awaiting.

“We want to finish the season on a positive note and go into the pre-season with a positive experience behind us,’’ Mickan said.

“We’ve got some young players in our side and we want to make sure they get a win in their last game of the year because that will serve them well going into next season.”

The Bloods must win in the final minor round match for seventh-placed North Adelaide to have any chance of snatching fifth-spot from the Eagles.

North would also have to hold up their end of the bargain and beat sixth-placed Central at Prospect this Saturday.

The Dogs are also relying on West to either beat the Eagles or be very competitive in defeat, in what is a super tight race for the final spot in the top five.

Mickan confirmed Hartlett would suit up, giving the Bloods a good match-up for one of the Eagles key forwards — Michael Wundke or Andrew Ainger.

Mickan said another driving factor for the group was its deplorable record away from Richmond this season.

West enters the match 0-7 at away grounds.

At home West is 6-4.

“It’s been very disappointing,’’ Mickan said.

“It’s not like we have to travel three hours or get on an aeroplane ...

“Every game requires good preparation and part of that preparation can be geared around the location of the ground and the experience that ground brings.

“We’ve emphasised the need to prepare well for (away) games and it’s something we really need to get right.”