More good news on the way for Glenorchy after breakthrough win with reinforcements on horizon
Glenorchy injected some momentum into its State League season and look set to regain several first choice starters after the bye, however last year’s leading goal kicker won’t be one of them
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REINFORCEMENTS are on their way for Glenorchy following the club’s breakthrough TSL victory but the return of star forward Aiden Grace remains unknown.
The Pies head into their bye having kickstarted their campaign with a thrilling one point victory against Tigers and with several first choice starters set to return after the break.
Ben Kamaric and Cameron Goodsell are good chances to have recovered from respective hamstring strains, while Ryan Banks-Smith has one week left of his suspension to serve from round two.
Both Sam Rundle and Matt Dilger, who were late withdrawals on Saturday, are also likely but coach Paul Kennedy is uncertain on Mitch Rainbird (groin), and is still waiting on a time frame on Grace, who avoided a fracture in his ankle against Clarence in round three but has suffered ligament damage.
“With blokes coming back in, when you can buy an extra week it is a good thing, it gives a chance for more blokes to be back,” Kennedy said.
“Mitch tweaked his groin, we don’t have a report yet on that, we will wait and see and Sam Rundle and Matty Dilger were the two withdrawals, they should both be back in for the next one.
In the next week or two Ben Kamaric, Cam Goodsell and Ryan Banks-Smith should be back, there is some handy players in that mix.
“[Grace’s ankle] is not broken, just ligaments, we don’t have an exact date for him, but if he makes it back it will be later in the season.”
While the efforts of Jaye Bowden (five goals) helped Glenorchy hold on against a fast finishing Tigers, Kennedy was full of praise for a host of his younger Pies for stepping up when the game was on the line.
“Jaye had been sensational for three quarters but it was only Jaye’s second game since last September, Daniel Joseph, it was his first game since April last year and Tom Cleary hadn’t really been able to train since March because of COVID-19, he had done a week and a half with us.
“Those older experienced guys are only going to get better but in terms of the game on Saturday when it got deep into the game, we couldn’t just rely on those blokes to step up and carry us.
“To have some of the young guys make big plays in scoring goals and saving goals was really pleasing and really critical.”
MATCH REVIEW PANEL UPDATE:
In MRP news, North Launceston’s Jakob Laskey has rejected an offer for making high contact against Dylan Howlett in the win against Clarence.
Laskey was offered a base sanction of two matches reduced to one with an early guilty plea for the strike, but will now have his case heard by the independent tribunal.
Tiger Tyler Carter was cleared of striking Glenorchy’s Tom Cleary.
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