Will Jack Watts make the trip to Eureka Stadium for Casey’s clash with North Ballarat on Saturday?
That’s the question Scorpions fans are asking after the former No.1 draft pick was dumped from the Demons’ line-up but not named to take on the Roosters in Round 2 of the Peter Jackson VFL.
Watts was the most-high profile casualty at the Demons after their capitulation at the hands of Essendon last Saturday night.
While the fall-out from the loss will see Sam Blease, David Rodan and Daniel Nicholson back in Casey colours, missing will be Rohan Bail, Cameron Pederson, Neville Jetta and Luke Tapscott.
The quartet were key players for the Scorpions last week in their big win over Frankston with Tapscott kicking a match-high six goals.
After 63 disposals against the Dolphins, midfield duo James Magner and Tom Couch failed to win promotion to the senior side and will again be pivotal to Casey’s chances.
The Roosters will be boosted by the inclusion of Ben Mabon after the ruckman was a late withdrawal last week. They also welcome back half back/wingman Ben Jacobs after the Port Adelaide recruit was dumped by Kangaroos coach Brad Scott.
Bendigo will again start massive underdogs in Round 2 after the Northern Blues named a near-full strength side for their Saturday afternoon clash at Visy Park.
Book ends Jeremy Laidler and Levi Casboult will be a welcome addition to coach Luke Webster’s side but the first-year coach will have to do without the services of Heath Scotland.
The veteran has won a recall to the Cartlon line-up after a club-imposed suspension, and joins Dylan Buckley and Aaron Joseph as outs for the Northern Blues.
The clash between Williamstown and Coburg will provide plenty of interest for Western Bulldogs and Richmond fans with the two AFL sides to do battle 24 hours after their aligned VFL clubs do the same.
Fans will pay particular interest to whether first round draft picks Nick Vlastuin (Coburg) and Jackson Macrae (Williamstown) line up for their respective clubs or are instead promoted to make their AFL debuts.
Eight goals it seems wasn’t enough to win Essendon’s Jason Winderlich a reprieve with the veteran named at half-back to take on Box Hill on Saturday.
The Bombers’ VFL team will be without Elliot Kavanagh and Travis Colyer after both headed to Perth with Essendon’s senior side.
Despite the outs, the Bombers will start warm favourite in the clash with a spine that reads Bate, Pears, O’Brien, Daniher and Gumbleton.
Brian Lake will be at full back for the Hawks, who could also have the services of Jack Gunston after the key forward was named on an extended interchange for Hawthorn.
Collingwood’s luxury of having Dale Thomas in their midst is over after the gun midfielder was called back into the senior line-up.
Magpies coach Dale Tapping will also have to do without Ben Hudson and possibly Jack Frost in the big clash with Werribee on Saturday night.
The Tigers will be buoyed by the inclusion of speedy on-baller Kieran Harper after he was dumped by the Kangaroos.
Stand-alone clubs Port Melbourne and Frankston will do battle on Sunday with relatively settled line-ups despite the continued absence of Borough pair Shane Valenti and Toby Pinwill.
In the final match of the round Geelong takes on a Sandringham side minus talented youngster Nathan Wright. The running defender was selected to make his senior debut for the Saints alongside mature-age recruit Tom Lee.
Geelong’s line-up was bolstered by the inclusion of Mitch Brown at centre half back. Brown was best-on-ground in the Cats’ season opener two weeks ago but failed to impress at AFL level last week.
Last Modified on 12/04/2013 12:47