Tough questions for Nathan Bassett after Norwood regains talent
NATHAN Bassett faces the tough question of who to cut from the squad to confront West Adelaide in the second semi-final at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.
NORWOOD coach Nathan Bassett faces the extremely tough question of who to cut from the squad to confront West Adelaide in the second semi-final at AAMI Stadium on Sunday after regaining valuable personnel.
Veteran Brett Zorzi, Brady Dawe, Mitch Grigg and promising youngster Orazio Fantasia have been recalled to a 23-man squad and at least three will return when Bassett finalises his line-up.
Ed Smart has already lost his spot from the team which convincingly beat North Adelaide in the final minor round and Josh Donohue has been sidelined after hurting his calf in the third quarter against the Roosters.
Donohue failed to finish Wednesday night's training session because of the tightness in the calf.
Mark Evans, who was stretchered from the ground with a damaged ankle in the final quarter against the Roosters, is almost certain to play after negotiating the workout without discomfort.
''Mark has done everything to get the ankle right and he got through training,'' Redlegs football manager mark Ross said. ''He still has to get through training on Friday (today) but we are confident he will be OK.''
Zorzi has not played since hurting his knee against Port Adelaide in round 18, Dawe has missed the past three games with a back related hamstring issue and Fantasia rolled his ankle at training on the eve of the final round.
''Brett could have played in the final round but it was decided not to take any risks,'' Ross said. ''He has worked hard on the track and has done plenty of endurance work so he will be fine.''
Grigg has not played for the Redlegs since been summoned to the Crows after round 14.
As expected, the Bloods ruled out captain Ryan Ferguson after he was heavily concussed in the win over Woodville-West Torrens in the qualifying final.
Brad Moran was lost to a hamstring injury. The options to come into the side are Ryan Anderson, Mason Middleton, Brad Kirk and Michael Still. Middleton is a forward and will make his league debut if he survives the final cull.
Woodville-West Torrens was forced to make a chance for the first semi-final battle against North Adelaide after losing Jarred Allmond for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. Campbell Heath is also out of the side beaten by West Adelaide in the qualifying final.
Sam Martyn, Lachlan Carey, Aaron day and Jake von Bertouch have been named in a 23-man Eagles squad.
The Roosters added Patrick Boles, a midfielder yet to play a league game, and Joe Anderson to the 21 who got the job done against Central District in the elimination final.