Demons needs huge win over Roos to make TSL finals but must do it without forward Sean Willis
North Hobart always knew it would lose one of its more experienced players to cricket but the Dees did not bank on it happening ahead of such a crucial game.
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NORTH Hobart hopes it can still make the TSL finals but it will take an 80-point thrashing of Clarence in the last roster match of the coronavirus-shortened season at Richmond Oval tomorrow and without noted Demon goal-shooter Sean Willis and injured ruckman Hamish Allen.
To make matters worse, the Roos regained their own goal-sneak Chris Nield from a one-match ban, along with ruckman Ryan Bailey, tagger Clint Riley, midfielder Keren Howlett, young gun Sam Banks, while defender Keegan Wylie is injured.
“Keegan’s a big loss because he has been damaging across half-back for us,” said Roos coach Jeromey Webberley.
His opposite number Richard Robinson said “a lot of things” needed to go the way of the Demons to make the finals.
“Lauderdale has to beat Kingborough and we’d have to beat Clarence by about 80 points,” Robinson said.
“So who knows? We will go to Richmond with a good frame of mind, and the pressure is on Clarence.
“They’ve had their opportunities in the past three weeks to lock their finals spot away and haven’t been able to do it.
“They would be a bit twitchy if we get off to a great start. It might sow a few seeds of doubt in their heads so that’s what we plan on doing.”
As captain of South Hobart-Sandy Bay’s Premier League cricket team, North Hobart was destined to lose Willis to the summer sport.
“We always knew he was going to play cricket when their season started,” Robinson said.
“It leaves a hole but it creates an opportunity for someone else so we will have a debutant this week and it’s exciting that a young guy is going to play his first senior game.”
Lauderdale regained forwards Harry Richmond and Tyler Martin for their clash with the Tigers at Lauderdale Oval.
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