Roosters defender Luke Ivens to have another week in reserves to regain fitness

NORTH Adelaide's Luke Ivens is to be given at least another week in the reserves to build on his fitness after an injury-plagued season.

NORTH Adelaide vice-captain Luke Ivens is to be given at least another week in the reserves to build on his fitness after an injury-plagued season.

Roosters coach Josh Francou said Ivens' conditioning was still a concern but the defender was nearing a return to league action.

Ivens will front in the early game at Unley today despite being named in a 23-man squad for the league contest against Sturt.

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"Luke had a limited pre-season when his running was restricted because of problems with his knee,'' Francou said.

"He played a few games and then had an operation on the knee and missed seven weeks.

"Conditioning is the concern although he is starting to get more condition into him now.

"He is not far away from league although he needs to be playing good footy to get a game.

"But I've got confidence in him and he will soon be ready to go.''

The Roosters will expose former St Kilda rookie Daniel Archer to the SANFL league level after he negotiated the reserves contest against Central District last week to prove he had overcome a thigh problem. Archer has had nightmare run with injuries this year, having broken his hand in the first trial match and then being struck by hamstring and thigh injuries.

He has been promoted at the expense of Tom Langford, who has been sent back to the reserves.

"Daniel gets an opportunity - we know he will compete at the ground level as well as in the air,'' Francou said.

"He played with desperation last week and we did not have that in the league side.''

The message at Prospect this week after the 50-point loss to the Bulldogs has been "compete and have a go''.

"We have to get back to the areas which we have been good at this year,'' Francou said.

SOUTH Adelaide coach Ron Fuller enjoyed plenty of success at Woodville when in charge of Woodville-West Torrens.

He has had little fun on his visits to the ground with the Panthers, however. The Panthers have lost eight of their past nine games at Woodville, including a 114-point thumping in round six.

The Eagles conquered Glenelg last week with a line-up flooded with youth.

They will field a more experienced side this week after regaining Scott Lewis, Jarred Allmond and Chris Hall.

The season goes on the line for Port Adelaide tomorrow when it takes on Central District at Alberton in a game it must win to stay alive in the race for the finals.

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