Premiers Rovers likely to be without key trio Lockyer, Kunoth and Barry through SANFL duties

ROVERS coach Damien Hall confident his core group of players can win a fifth consecutive A-grade flag without the services of several big names.

Rovers coach Damien Hall will in charge again through the 2021 CAFL season. Picture: SOCIAL MEDIA NT

CENTRAL Australian Football League premiers Rovers will play a large portion of the 2021 season without several big name players.

Premiership quartet Nigel Lockyer Jr, Tosh Kunoth, Dylan Barry and Kurt Abbott have been trialling with SANFL clubs South and North Adelaide in the off-season.

The link comes through partnerships with the highly successful Redtails program.

Returning Double Blues coach Damien Hall has already conceded the four players will be SANFL bound when the new season kicks off on May 1.

CAFL officials are yet to release the 2021 draw with less than five weeks until the first bounce.

Hall still believes Rovers have the core group of players needed to win a club record fifth consecutive flag.

“We’ve lost a few good players, but we’ll still have a good core group in Gareth Remfrey, Pat Doyle, Luke Farrows, Luke Adams, Sam Laporta and Cameron Glover,’’ Hall said.

“Plus there are always younger guys coming through, so we certainly expect to be up there again.’’

NTFL stars Cameron Ilett (Nightcliff) and Shaun Edwards (St Mary’s) will be other absentees, with Ilett set to resume a playing agreement with Tongala in Victoria’s Murray League.

In a twist, Hall said Edwards appears to be heading to Rumbalara in the same competition, robbing him of two prime movers from the premiership side.

First choice ruckman Travis King struggled with an injured back last season and has told Rovers he will be restricted to coaching their under-18 side this season.

Better news for the Double Blues is the return of Geordie Lelliott to the key role.

“Geordie was really good for us last year, so we’re happy he is there again, but we could do with a big guy like any other club,’’ Hall said.

Hall appeared lost to Rovers at the end of last season, but a change of heart centred around his loyalty to club president Rob Clarke and the players has him back in charge.

“The only reason I’ve come back is (A) The players who were in a little bit of no-mans land and (B) To help Rob out who my family feels pretty indebted to for a lot of reasons and not all them are footy related.’’

Hall expects no beg pardons from the other four sides, where coaching changes have occurred at grand finalists Pioneer and semi-finalists Souths and Federal.

Popular ruckman-forward Willie Foster replaced Darren Measures at Pioneer, Isaac Ankers ill lead Federal and Adrian McAdam takes over the reins at Souths.

Shaun Cusack will again be in charge of the young Wests side.