Lauderdale coach says changes are on the way for Brighton match after shock loss to Magpies

A pair of Bomber backs have been grounded by injury as coach Brent Dolliver wields the changes ahead of Lauderdale’s match against Brighton. Who’s out and who is returning.

Taine Sookee, of Lauderdale, pictured tackling Tiger Tyler Carter, will miss the next two matches through injury. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Lauderdale could have up to five changes for its round eight SFL Premier League match against Brighton at Lauderdale Oval on Saturday with injured defenders Taine Sookee and Jamerson Arnold set to miss two games and several other “sore” Bombers to be rested.

Bombers half-back Ben Williams will return to the side after missing Lauderdale’s shock defeat in a two-point thriller against Glenorchy at KGV last Saturday.

After conducting an intense game review on Monday night, Lauderdale coach Brent Dolliver signaled changes were on the way.

“They took it all onboard at the review and I’m looking forward to their response this week,” Dolliver said.

“They were open and honest with their own feedback on their performance on the weekend.

“They now know they’ve got to come into game with the right mind-set week in, week out, and they can’t just flick a switch.

“It was about structure as well as effort-based things on Saturday, and the boys are raring to go this week.”

Sookee (hamstring) and Arnold (hip) both need to be replaced.

SFL Premier League. Taine Sookee Lauderdale. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Jamerson has got a slight tear in his hip flexor so he will definitely miss a couple of weeks and Taine has a hamstring strain so he will miss a couple as well,” Dolliver said.

“We will get Ben Williams back after a weekend away in Melbourne.

“He’s had a good start to the season, and we will have a debutant this week but we haven’t told him yet.

“We will have a few other changes because we’ve got a few boys who are quite sore.”

Lauderdale beat Brighton by 72 points when they met at SkyBus Oval in round two, but Dolliver has seen good signs in his assessment of the Robins.

“They’ve got some good talent in their side, players like Darcy Gardner, Jacob Young and Max Lamb,” he said.

“’PK’ [coach Paul Kennedy] has had them for a few years now and the first time we played them their pressure was fantastic.

“They didn’t have Max Lamb last time and they will have him back this week.

“They’ve got good players across all lines and from what I saw from their game at the weekend they did well against Kingborough.

“We look forward to testing ourselves again, come in with a better mind-set this week and improve.”

In other Premier League games this week, Glenorchy is at home to North Hobart and Clarence plays the Tigers at Ninja Stadium.