Six-goal haul from Colin Garland lifts Clarence over North Hobart, Bombers’ air raid destroys Pies
North Hobart ran out of gas late in its latest grudge match against Clarence while North Launceston left Glenorchy in ruins after a football masterclass. MATCH REPORTS >>
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FOR the second time this season Clarence and North Hobart locked themselves into an ugly scrap but the Roos again found a way to get across the line without playing their best footy.
The expected spitefulness of Baxter Norton taking on his former Demon teammates for the first time never really eventuated but the visitors were up for the contest early before wilting in the final term.
Clarence – which trailed by 11 points at the first change after kicking a solitary behind – slammed home seven goals to two in the last stanza at Blundstone Arena to run out 14.10 (94) to 5.9 (39) victors.
Colin Garland, also playing his first match against his former side, was swung from defence into attack after quarter time and booted six goals to help break the game open, while Josh Green and Jacques Barwick slotted two each.
Spot fires broke out at times between the two sides, which have built a simmering rivalry following player movement last off season, but it was Norton and the Roos who had the last laugh.
“The game was hard and physical but I thought the game wasn’t as spiteful as it was the first time around,” Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley said.
“It was a yuck first quarter, a yuck first half really, but we tidied up a few things around how we wanted to move the ball and I thought we got the end result.”
The Demons had several opportunities to extend their lead in the second term but missed some gettable chances, and when Green, Barwick and Garland all converted, the hosts edged in front by the main break.
Another four unanswered goals after halftime saw the lead balloon out to 27 points, before North goals via Keegan Ryan and Callum Kilpatrick either side of the last change brought the gap back to 15 points.
But that was as close as the Dees would get as the Roos’ running machine kicked into overdrive.
“Our connection with our forwards and in the first quarter was terrible to be honest,” Webberley said.
“Sam Green is a great swing man so we sort of just dropped him down half back and it was more the fact of getting Colin to set up the forward line.
“He is a fantastic player but he also sees the game really well and is like a coach, it was more to straighten us up and make sure our system forward of the ball was better.”
Bombers dominate as they blow Pies away
THE Northern Bombers flew into town on a ruthless air raid on KGV and left Glenorchy in ruins from their 105-point annihilation with reigning premier Launceston now in their sights as a top-of-the-ladder TSL blockbuster looms next weekend.
North Launceston coach Brad Cox-Goodyer was pleased with his team’s efficiency with the ball but will demand they tighten defensively for their clash with the Blues.
North conceded only four goals – two by big Pie Harrison Gunther – but Cox-Goodyer felt they could have done better after the 21.12 (138) to 4.9 (33) win.
Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy could not fault his team’s application but they were jumped from the outset and systematically overwhelmed by a more effective team.
For North Launceston, it was the ideal platform from which to launch their next assault.
“Hopefully we’ll go in with a more defensive mindset this time against Launceston – we were a bit standoffish last time knowing the type of opposition we going in against and how they like to play,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“Our mindset last time was to defend really hard and we did that.
“We know they had a couple of blokes out, and after that game there’s still five rounds to go in the regular season.
“We’ve set ourselves up for where we want to be so it’s going to be a great test to see how far we’ve come.
“We know it’s not the end if we lose either so we’ve just got to keep building because it‘s the end of the year that matters.”
North Launceston kicked a higher score in the opening term than Glenorchy managed for the whole game.
The Bombers hit their targets inside forward 50 and that produced a 6.5 to 1.2 scoreline in the first.
Glenorchy’s intensity stalled North Launceston’s march in the second but an 8.1 to 1.2 third term did untold damage.
North kicked another four in the last, meaning it kicked the last 10 goals of the game.
“We got off to a great start and we put on scoreboard pressure which is something we haven’t really been able to do,” Cox-Goodyer said.
“Our ball movement inside 50 was the most pleasing part.
“Teams have defended by dropping numbers back, and we’ve been bombing it in and giving away intercept marks. But we hit our targets well inside 50.”
Demons square off against former teammates
THE wait took an extra seven weeks but North Hobart’s playing group will finally get the chance to renew acquaintances with former teammate Baxter Norton on Saturday.
Norton, who along with Jake Steele crossed from the Demons to Clarence in the off season, was a late injury withdrawal from the round seven clash between the two sides.
But Roos coach Jeromey Webberley had confirmed the silky playmaker as a definite starter for the round 14 clash at Blundstone Arena, where he will join another former Demon Colin Garland in facing their former club for the first time.
North assistant coach Richard Robinson didn’t shy from the simmering tension between the two clubs following the movement of players.
“Anyone that leaves the club, I don’t think you ever forget so whenever you come up against them, it’s going to be a tough, fiery contest,” Robinson said.
“I know how the players felt at training [Wednesday] night, there is a buzz among the group and I know the coaching group is really looking forward to a fiery, combative contest.
“Six weeks ago was exactly the same.
“But it’s not only Baxter, we’ve got to go at Clarence really hard because when we are competitive in games, our pressure factor has been really high.
“Putting Baxter aside we need to go really hard at Clarence to give ourselves a chance to win.
“We need our players playing on edge and that’s what will be happening on Saturday.”
Emotion aside, the Dees pushed Clarence to the limit in the previous encounter, falling by the narrowest of margins.
Webberley has no doubt the Demons will come out all guns blazing and has implored his troops to fight fire with fire.
“The first game we played out here was pretty fiery, I don’t know if it was a great spectacle, but there was a bit of passion in it, and obviously Colin and Baxter didn’t play the first game … that’s going to add a little bit of spice to the game as well.
“I think that’s just really good for footy. We expect North Hobart to come over and really go at us physically and we want to go back at them just as hard the other way.
“That’s just the reality of footy and I think players love playing in those games, you guys like reporting those games and I like coaching those games as well.
“It’s going to be exciting and I’m sure there’ll be a few guys that will have a sleepless Friday night for both teams.”
Lauderdale refuses to hide from challenge ahead of clash with Blues
LAUDERDALE coach Daniel Willing will accept the challenge of bridging the fitness gap on Launceston after declaring the Bombers program is not up to TSL standards.
However like several other southern coaches, he is adamant the gulf between the two northern clubs and the remaining five is not as wide as it appears.
The Bombers host the Blues this weekend at SkyBus Oval, hoping to make a dent in the seemingly impenetrable Launceston fortress which has only been breached by its cross town rivals.
Blues coach Mitch Thorp has raised the bar in terms of fitness and skill in 2021 — at times suggesting opposing clubs should take notice of what has made the northern clubs so dominant in the past decade.
Willing didn’t shy away when asked if he felt insulted by such comments.
“There’s no doubt that we’re nowhere near fit enough for a State League standard,” Willing said.
“That’s obvious and we’ve spoken about that as a group, we’re clear on that now and our pre-season will be much tougher in this coming pre-season.
“I don’t see it as an insult, it’s just fact.
“It was obvious to me when we played them [in round seven], from the 21, 22 minute mark of the first quarter it was just obvious to see against them that they were way fitter than we were.
“They look fitter, they look stronger, so their program is clearly the best in the competition and we need to chase them.
“People talk about the bigger area, the bigger zones they’ve got to be able to pull players from, and that’s fact, that is what it is.
“That doesn’t mean our program can’t be as good as theirs and we can’t be as fit and strong and as professional and prepare and recover as well, and our game plan can be just as good if not better.
“But … the gap is not as big as people outside of the State League think.”
Refreshed from the bye, and having snapped a nine match losing skid last outing against North Hobart, the Bombers will also be eager to celebrate a major milestone in style.
Midfield warrior Alex Hevey will play his 250th match for the club, 198 which have been senior TSL appearances.
“He’s a ripper Alex, he’s been an outstanding player for the club, he’s a best and fairest winner, he’s been captain of the club,” Willing said.
“He’s brave, he’s got great leadership, he’s got an ability to break a game open, even though he’s sort of getting on now, he’s 31, he’s still playing some really good footy.
“Let’s hope we can go out against the best team in the state and play some good footy to reward him for the work he’s done for our footy club.”
Tasmanian State League (TSL)
SELECTED SIDES FOR Tasmanian State League (TSL) > TASMANIAN STATE LEAGUE
GLENORCHY v. NORTH LAUNCESTON
Round 14 - 03/07/2021
01:30
KGv
Glenorchy
B: J. Arnold, D. Wyatt, N. Blowfield
HB: C. Mcknight, D. Joseph, C. Meredith
C: L. Nicholson, J. Geard, N. Reibelt
HF: R. Oakley, H. Gunther, A. Roberts
F: C. Daly, M. Dilger, J. Whitford
R: J. Deegan, C. Thompson, B. Kamaric
Int: C. Hills, I. Manson, B. Patterson, T. Turner
Emg: D. Brown, R. Dilger, Z. Evans-fenton, J. Saavedra
In: J. Arnold
Out: T. Spotswood
North Launceston
B: J. Avent, C. Nankervis, B. Van Buuren
HB: F. Bennett, W. Edmunds, R. Whitney
C: D. Chugg, B. Cox-Goodyer, N. Pearce
HF: H. Griffiths, T. Bennett, B. Leary
F: Z. Burt, J. Edmunds, J. Rushton
R: A. Lee, M. Stingel, J. Foon
Int: H. Bayles, D. Layh, B. Mitchell, O. Van dam
Emg: A. Bourne, T. Ives, C. Leeflang, L. Mitchell
In: H. Bayles
Out: C. Leeflang
CLARENCE v. NORTH HOBART
Round 14 - 03/07/2021
02:00
Blundstone Arena Bellerive
Clarence
B: J. Holmes, Z. Buechner, K. Wylie
HB: O. Paprotny, C. Garland, J. Webberley
C: L. Borsboom, E. Jackson, J. Green
HF: J. Barwick, O. Preshaw, R. Cowie
F: S. Green, N. Holmes, T. Penwright
R: O. Angerstein, B. Norton, J. Harper
Int: J. Bealey, J. Preshaw, L. Swinton , J. Tremayne
Emg: H. Burgess, K. Howlett, C. Lovell, J. Steele
In: J. Green, L. Borsboom, E. Jackson, K. Wylie, N. Holmes, B. Norton
Out: W. Wall, C. Whitelaw, H. Burgess, K. Howlett, C. Lovell, J. Steele
North Hobart
B: N. Hardy, C. Kilpatrick, B. Young
HB: H. Williams, F. Poke, H. Williams
C: C. Smith, G. Mcleod, D. White
HF: J. McCulloch, T. Liefhebber, A. Norton
F: K. Cobern, K. Ryan, B. Walker
R: N. Jackson, J. Sandric, S. Caswell
Int: S. Banks-Smith, J. Medwin-Smith, J. Willmott, R. Wood
Emg: J. Bingham, J. Hilder, A. Keeling, T. Millhouse
In: S. Banks-Smith, K. Cobern, J. Medwin-Smith, G. Mcleod, K. Ryan,
D. White
Out: C. Leek, M. Yates, R. Higgins, J. Bingham, T. Millhouse, J. Hilder
LAUDERDALE v. LAUNCESTON
Round 14 - 03/07/2021
02:00
Lauderdale Oval
Lauderdale
B: N. Raglione, W. Poland, O. Shaw
HB: E. Stanley, T. Sookee, J. Williams
C: T. Ratcliffe, A. Hevey, R. Sutton
HF: F. Kenny, H. Richmond, B. Rolfe
F: A. Christensen, J. Westell, T. Martin
R: S. Siggins, B. Walsh, J. McGuinness
Int: L. Arnold, L. Hodoniczky, B. Kingston, L. Paton
Emg: L. Gallagher, F. Rackett, B. Steinbauer, O. Warmbrunn
In: T. Martin, L. Hodoniczky
Out: B. Steinbauer, L. Gallagher
Launceston
B: J. Boyd, J. House, J. Tuthill
HB: M. Hodge, A. Wright, J. Woolley
C: C. Brown, J. Blackberry, J. Smith
HF: M. Musicka, J. Groenewegen, F. Seymour
F: D. Riley, C. Thorp, B. Taylor
R: H. Leedham, J. Hinds, B. Palfreyman
Int: K. Chilcott, J. Donnellan, G. Holt, B. Pitcher
Emg: L. Jones, C. McKercher, B. Pearce, M. Thorp
In: M. Musicka, J. Boyd
Out: J. Harper, L. Jones
SFL to raise funds for important cause during blockbuster match
CYGNET has another motivating factor for beating Huonville Lions in their top-of-the-ladder SFL blockbuster at Cygnet Oval on Saturday and ruckman Jordan Lane and SFLW defender Ella Brereton are tickled pink.
To raise funds and awareness for breast cancer through Breast Cancer Network Australia, all players will wear pink socks on the big day.
A Cygnet-Huonville clash is top-billing among football fans in the Huon and Cygnet vice-president Will Polley anticipates a bumper turnout.
“It’s a big day for both clubs having the day for breast cancer awareness as well as it being an important game,” Polley said.
“It’s a cause that is close to the hearts of a lot of people and it’s a cause we really like to get behind.
“It was a shame when we played Huonville in the grand final last year that because of Covid restrictions we didn’t get to see how big that crowd could have been.
“We expect a substantial crowd on Saturday.”
Lane, 19, is captain of the SFL representative team.
“It’s an honour to play for such a great cause,” Lane said.
“Huonville is second at the moment, but we will treat it like any other game and try to get the job done.”
Ella Brereton, 20, will play centre half-back for Cygnet in its SFLW clash with Lauderdale prior to the men’s game.
“They’re a pretty tough team and we only just beat them last time we played so it will be a big challenge for the girls,” Brereton said.
“It’s going to be a great day for an important cause, so we’re very proud to be a part of it.”
TSL player’s ambition to be Glenorchy’s next Jaye Bowden
HARRISON Gunter’s ambition to be Glenorchy’s next Jaye Bowden shifted up a gear on Saturday with his match-winning haul of five goals in the Magpies’ win over the Demons at North Hobart Oval.
Known as “H”, Gunther was on target in attack and then late in the game went back to sure up Glenorchy’s defense.
He was voted best-afield for his five goals, nine marks and five inside 50s, while onballer Ben Kamaric, who had 39 possessions, was close behind.
“Harrison was pretty relentless with his work-rate,” said Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy.
“When he wasn’t marking it he was splitting packs and his second efforts were good, and he was also good when he went back.”
While some players left the TSL for other state league, Gunther decided to make his mark in Tasmania this year.
It did not go unnoticed. North Melbourne utilised his services in the VFL, the Kangaroos deploying him as their main tall defender in four games.
“When ‘H’ told me he wanted to say in Tasmania this year, he really wanted to fill Jaye Bowden’s shoes,” Kennedy said.
“He knew what a big task that was. He didn’t say it flippantly. He wanted to be a guy who could kick goals for us, play in the middle when we needed it, and go down back and be that Swiss Army Knife that we could use in a lot of roles.
“That has been a focus for him and he did that really well on the weekend.
“He has become a real handful as a forward and that’s no surprise, given he was a really good junior forward.
“He was a bit disappointed with his goal-kicking a few weeks ago, but he’s done the work to fix that and he kicked 5.1 at the weekend.”
Glenorchy faces North Launceston at KGV on Saturday in another big challenge for the Pies.
Defender Josh Arnold is a chance to play his first senior game on the season after breaking his leg in a preseason game.
Arnold played in the Development League in Saturday when Glenorchy won seniors, D-League and udner-18s all on the same day for the first time in three seasons.
“Josh is definitely in the mix but that’s a decision we will make later in the week,” Kennedy said.
North Launceston coach Brad Cox-Goodyer was voted best-afield in its win over the Tigers, and Jay Blackberry was best in Launceston’s win over Clarence.
TSL Player of the Year Award
Round 13
North Launceston v Tigers
3. Brad Cox-Goodyer (North Launceston)
2. Jay Foon (North Launceston)
1. Edward Cole (Tigers)
North Hobart v Glenorchy
3. Harrison Gunther (Glenorchy)
2. Nathan Blowfield (Glenorchy)
1. Ben Kamaric (Glenorchy)
Launceston v Clarence
3. Jay Blackberry (Launceston)
2. Jake Hinds (Launceston)
1. Fletcher Seymour (Launceston)
Leaderboard
18 Jay Foon North Launceston
17 Jay Blackberry Launceston `
14 Jake Hinds Launceston
9 Dylan Riley Launceston, Brad Cox-Goodyer North Launceston
7 Nathan Blowfield Glenorchy
6 Michael Stingel North Launceston, Alec Wright Launceston
5 Baxter Norton Clarence
Tigers out to test North Launceston in TSL blockbuster
IT will almost certainly be a dress rehearsal for a TSL final at UTas Stadium today and the Tigers are out to make a statement by pushing premiership contender North Launceston to the wire.
The Northern Bombers are second on the ladder and the Tigers third, and if they maintain those positions come the business end of the season, they are likely to meet in September.
The Bombers have lost only two games and, after going down fighting to Launceston in round 10, the Tigers are back on track with wins over Glenorchy and Clarence.
Tigers coach Trent Baumeler knows North Launceston is a whole other matter.
“UTas is a ground you’ve got to play well on at the pointy end of the year, if you are lucky enough to get to the finals,” Baumeler said.
“We want to put in a strong performance this week and be one of the clubs putting their hand up to knock off the northern teams.
“Launceston and North Launceston are sitting one and two on the ladder.
“We are trying to close the gap on them.
“We should go up there with plenty of confidence in the way we’ve played our footy over the past couple of weeks and the results we’ve been getting.
“If that counts for anything, we will be in with a show, which is what we are planning to do.”
With ruckman Alex Lee and star onballers Jack Avent and Mark Walsh back this week, Baumeler says the Brad Cox-Goodyer-led Bombers are multi-facetted.
“You see their young group with the confidence they have in their great leaders, that makes them a very even team,” Baumeler said.
“That’s what we’d like to think we are becoming.’
Tigers aiming to turn the tables on Northern Bombers
THE Tigers are chasing a break-through win over North Launceston at UTas Stadium tomorrow and singled out red-hot onballer Jay Foon as the Bomber who might cause them the most trouble.
It is a major test for the Tigers, who are third on the ladder with a 7-4 win-loss ratio and best of the rest after ladder leader Launceston (9-1) and second-placed North Launceston (8-2).
North Launceston beat the Tigers by 31 points when they met in round six and this time coach Trent Baumeler hopes to get closer.
To make that happen, Baumeler knows the Tigers must prevent a “Foonami”.
“Jay has added another layer to his game by coming into the midfield,” Baumeler said.
“He has always been a great user of the ball off half-back, playing that quarter-back type role.
“Jay now using the ball well out of the stoppages is damaging and their forwards are getting great service.
“We’ve got to put some time into nullifying what Jay does in the contest and also away from the contest, and Brad Cox-Goodyer, Jack Avent and Mark Walsh, who go through there too.”
Baumeler admires the way North Launceston has “regenerated” its playing group.
“North Launceston is a class football program and you’ve only got to look at the young guys coming through and they’ve only lost two games,” he said.
“It’s a massive challenge to play them up there and if we can take it up to them it shows the growth that we are building.”
The Tigers did not change the team that beat Glenorchy last week, while North Launceston regained Avent, Walsh and ruckman Alex Lee.
Clarence lost six players for its clash with Launceston at Windsor Park, while the Blues brought back goal-sneak Liam Jones.
Roo defender Jason Bailey, onballer Ethan Jackson and forward Josh Green are suspended, while onballer Baxter Norton (calf) and key forward Noah Holmes (Devils) are out, and defender Keegan Wylie must pass a fitness test.
“We will have a fair few changes and that’s exciting for the boys coming into play senior footy,” said Roos coach Jeromey Webberley.
Tasmanian State League (TSL)
SELECTED SIDES FOR Tasmanian State League (TSL) > TASMANIAN STATE LEAGUE
NORTH HOBART v. GLENORCHY
Round 13
02:00
North Hobart Oval
North Hobart
B: B. Walker, N. Hardy, B. Young
HB: T. Millhouse, H. Williams, H. Williams
C: C. Smith, J. Sandric, R. Wood
HF: A. Norton, N. Jackson, M. Yates
F: J. Hilder, T. Liefhebber, F. Poke
R: J. McCulloch, S. Caswell, C. Kilpatrick
Int: J. Bingham, R. Higgins, C. Leek, J. Willmott
Emg: M. Bidgood, M. Campbell, A. Keeling, L. Payne
In: J. Willmott, C. Smith, C. Leek, R. Wood
Out: W. Cole, K. Cobern, J. Barwick, I. Mathewson
Glenorchy
B: N. Blowfield , B. Patterson, C. Meredith
HB: D. Joseph, D. Wyatt, I. Manson
C: L. Nicholson, J. Geard, N. Reibelt
HF: R. Oakley, H. Gunther, A. Roberts
F: C. Daly, M. Dilger, J. Whitford
R: J. Deegan, C. Thompson, B. Kamaric
Int: D. Brown, R. Dilger, C. Mcknight, T. Turner
Emg: Z. Evans-fenton, C. Hills, J. Saavedra, T. Spotswood
In: J. Whitford, M. Dilger
Out: J. Meredith, M. Joseph
NORTH LAUNCESTON v. TIGERS
Round 13
02:00
UTAS Stadium
North Launceston
B: D. Chugg, C. Nankervis, B. Van Buuren
HB: D. Layh, C. Leeflang, M. Stingel
C: J. Avent, B. Cox-Goodyer, N. Pearce
HF: B. Leary, T. Bennett, O. Van dam
F: Z. Burt, H. Griffiths, J. Rushton
R: J. Edmunds, R. Whitney, J. Foon
Int: F. Bennett, W. Edmunds, A. Lee, M. Walsh
Emg: A. Bourne, T. Ives, B. Mitchell, L. Mitchell
In: J. Avent, F. Bennett, W. Edmunds, A. Lee, M. Walsh
Out: T. Donnelly, A. Potter, A. Bourne, J. Kerr, L. Mitchell
Tigers
B: L. Gadomski, M. Reynolds, B. Rees
HB: M. Davies, B. McCulloch, E. Reardon
C: Z. Adams, L. Clifford, L. Griggs
HF: M. Collidge, R. Ashlin, T. Wright
F: L. Graham, W. Campbell, C. Sawdy
R: M. Gardner, A. Bessell, E. Cole
Int: W. Clifford, B. Donnelly, J. Keogh, P. Reihana
Emg: J. Doran, P. Kelly, G. O’Neill, J. Pride
In: Nil
Out: Nil
LAUNCESTON v. CLARENCE
Round 13
02:00
Windsor Park
Launceston
B: G. Holt, J. House, J. Tuthill
HB: M. Hodge, A. Wright, J. Woolley
C: C. Brown, J. Harper, J. Smith
HF: J. Blackberry, J. Groenewegen, J. Hinds
F: D. Riley, C. Thorp, B. Taylor
R: H. Leedham, B. Palfreyman, F. Seymour
Int: K. Chilcott, J. Donnellan, L. Jones, B. Pitcher
Emg: J. McIvor, C. McKercher, M. Musicka, M. Thorp
In: L. Jones,
Out: C. McKercher
Clarence
B: J. Holmes, Z. Buechner, L. Swinton
HB: S. Green, J. Steele, O. Paprotny
C: K. Howlett, J. Webberley, C. Lovell
HF: R. Cowie, O. Preshaw, W. Wall
F: J. Barwick, C. Garland, T. Penwright
R: O. Angerstein, J. Preshaw, J. Harper
Int: J. Bealey, H. Burgess, J. Tremayne, C. Whitelaw
Emg: J. Callinan, L. Howard, D. Howlett, K. Wylie
In: J. Steele, W. Wall, C. Lovell, C. Whitelaw, C. Garland,L. Swinton, R. Cowie
Out: J. Green, B. Hay, E. Jackson, N. Holmes, J. Bailey, B. Norton, K. Wylie
Sun sets on Tassie star’s home game
TASMANIAN AFL ace Lachie Weller has been deprived of the chance to play on home soil with a hamstring strain ruling him out of Gold Coast’s match against North Melbourne in Hobart on Saturday.
However, the Kangaroos may pull a selection stunner by debuting Patrick Walker in his home town.
Walker was named by North Melbourne as one of its players in the mix for the round 15 contest along with Will Phillips, Eddie Ford, Connor Menadue and Tom Campbell, as coach David Noble considers a selection shake-up.
For the Gold Coast, co-captain David Swallow has also been ruled out (concussion), and vice-captain Sam Collins has not recovered from an ankle injury.
It leaves the Suns without three automatic inclusions in their starting 18 and opens the door for last-placed North Melbourne to finally break through for its second win of the season after recent near misses against Melbourne, the Giants and Brisbane.
Weller could be sidelined for up to three weeks with a moderate hamstring tear.
Gold Coast coach Stuart Dew was frustrated by more injury set-backs that leave them vulnerable to the Kangaroos.
“We’ve lost our captain, our other captain is out for the year, and our vice-captain is also out. We can’t change that so we have to look to grow the group and really quickly,” Dew said.
Swallow was subbed out with concussion in the first quarter of the Suns’ 50-point thrashing by Port Adelaide last weekend.
“He’ll go through the relevant concussion protocols and miss this game, hopefully do everything right and keep tracking well to be available the week after,” said Suns head physio Lindsay Bull.
After beating Hawthorn by 37 points at Metricon Stadium in round 11, the Suns had a bye and then lost back-to-back against Fremantle and Port Adelaide.
That leaves the Suns languishing in 16th for the trip to Tasmania to face the Kangaroos.
“Once we settle on our side [for this week] we will be asking a fair bit of the players who pull on that jumper,” Dew said.
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