Kingborough set to regain Eddie Cole, Zach Adams and Riley Ashlin for North Launceston clash

Kingborough will be bolstered by the return of three premier midfielders against North Launceston but it’s not all good news on the injury front.

Zach Adams will play his first game in Kingborough colours since the 2022 TSL Grand Final. Picture: Linda Higginson.

Kingborough will welcome back three of its premier midfielders for Saturday’s clash against North Launceston but will be without captain Lachie Clifford for the trip to UTAS Stadium.

Clifford ended last Saturday’s state clash worse for wear and will miss with a corked quad but his absence will be offset by the return of both Riley Ashlin (concussion protocols) and Eddie Cole (work commitments), while Zach Adams will also make his long awaited comeback to the Tigers line-up.

Cole hasn’t played for the Tigers since round 4 due to work commitments overseas. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Adams was a longtime member of Kingborough’s set-up before playing with Port Melbourne in the VFL last season but his Tigers return was delayed after he suffered a broken neck in a training incident last December.

While disappointed not to have his skipper available against the Bombers, Kingborough coach Trent Baumeler was excited by the return of all three players but especially Cole and Adams given both have been missing from the line-up for extended periods.

“Eddie plays with a chip on his shoulder, he plays with energy and plenty of emotion and passion which fits what we do very well and then we’ll get Zach Adams back which is really exciting,” Baumeler said.

“Zach’s had an extensive rehab but he’s really tested himself over the last four to six weeks of training and he’s ready to go.

“He was in a in a brace and couldn’t move it for six to eight weeks and was then in a soft collar and then he’s had to pass all the stages of his contact (work). It was December 20 last year when he did it so it’s been a pretty diligent rehab.

“He’s ready to go and we’ve see him take some big hits at training and he’s really tested himself but there’s also no pressure on him. He’s going to blow up pretty quick and we don’t expect him to do anything but come in and play his role, which, hopefully he does really well.”

Riley Ashlin returns from concussion protocols. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But captain Lachie Clifford will miss after suffering an injury in the state game last week. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Saturday’s clash between the two 2023 grand finalists will be their second meeting this season with Baumeler confident they can atone for their 51-point loss to the Bombers back in round 6.

“They’re an excellent ball movement team. They move it fast, they move it forward and they challenge your team defence and get the ball back through the corridor,” he said.

“We’ve got to try and pull that apart and just play our game. We both probably go about it a little different way, the way that we play. So there’s a little bit of clash of game styles, which is always interesting to see two teams go differently.”

Saturday’s clash kicks off at 2pm and will be Tigers’ veteran Tyler Carter’s 150th senior TSL match.