MPNFL 2021: Rosebud to regain key players from injury

Buds coach Nick Jewell explains why his side can arrest its four-game slide and put its finals quest back on track in MPNFL Division 1.

Rosebud coach Nick Jewell says his side will regain key players from injury. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Put the hard hat on, the Rosebud rebuild is about to start.

Buds coach Nick Jewell says the enforced break has been a “Godsend” for his injury-plagued side, which is set to regain several key players when the season is scheduled to resume on June 19.

Rosebud captain and former Carlton and Port Adelaide midfielder Greg Bentley has recovered from a hamstring injury sustained against Bonbeach on May 1.

Full-back Jari Kennedy (hamstring) will also return.

Small defender Seb Krumeich is recovering well from a slight medial ligament strain and will push for selection.

The lay off has given Sean Downie (hamstring) and Bart Wallace (broken hand) a chance to return to full fitness.

Fletcher Hustwaite takes a grab for Rosebud in front of Frankston YCW’s BJ Credlin. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Rosebud made a dynamic start to the season, thrashing Sorrento by 55 points in the opening round and then beating Dromana (by 28 points) and Pines (53).

But then came the injuries.

Depleted, the Buds lost four in a row between rounds 4-7.

Buds forward Thomas Stoffels.

“We had to shuffle the side around a fair bit with some small forwards playing in the midfield and shuffling the backline,” Jewell said.

“The backline had only two players from the first three rounds playing in the back six. It was a bit of a challenge but every side has those.”

Rosebud is also a chance to have Collingwood VFL co-captain Campbell Hustwaite available, while quality defender Daniel Wilson could also bolster the side.

Jewell said Rosebud would be at full strength when the season kicks off again.

“We will pretty much go back to what the round one side looked like,” Jewell said.

“I’ve roughly set out the board and assuming we play on the 19th (of June), if it all goes to plan, everyone will be available.”

Rosebud (3-4) is in sixth spot, equal on points with Sorrento, fifth, and Red Hill, seventh.

Jewell says his side can make a run for finals.

“It’s such a good competition,” he said.

“Our good has been very good...but there’s a bit much of a gap between our good and our bad.

“You get that with young sides.”

Jewell coached Rosebud to a preliminary final in his first season as coach in 2013 and then to the ultimate success of a senior premiership in 2015.