By: BRETT STUBBS
Queensland chairman of selectors Martin King said: ``Nathan's form did not warrant selection and I am sure he would agree with that.''
While Ablett will be missing, Queensland's squad still boasts former All-Australian ruckman Jeff White and two-time Brisbane Lion premiership player Robert Copeland.
The initial 38-man squad also has a strong Tasmanian link with former Tasmanians Kent Abey and James Charlesworth named in the team alongside Josh Vearing, who moved to Hobart last year to play in the Devils final season.
The squad also contains six players from the Northern Territory Thunder, with the Thunder playing in the QAFL for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, Tasmanian selectors have brought two more players in for the Bellerive clash as the squad continues to be hammered by injuries.
Glenorchy mobile forward Jon Bowring and Burnie small forward Harry Walters have both come into coach Mathew Armstrong's 40-man squad.
But fitness issues continue to plague the squad, especially the more experienced, senior players.
Former Devils captain Brett Geappen is battling a knee injury, and was joined on the sidelines by Clarence teammate Cameron Blight (leg) and North Hobart gun midfielder Ken Hall (hamstring tightness) who were late withdrawals for their respective teams on the weekend.
Launceston full forward Adam Derbyshire has not played a game since injuring his shoulder in round two and missed the Blues loss to Lauderdale despite being named.
And the squad received fresh injuries during the just completed round to Hobart's Cameron Beck (hamstring) and Burnie full back Jesse Wells (hamstring).
Tasmanian coach Mathew Armstrong said Bowring and Walters were worthy additions.
``Jon Bowring was probably a little bit stiff in the first place but we were always going to keep an eye on a few more,'' Armstrong said yesterday.
``The same with Harry Walters from Burnie. He's had a good start to the season so bring them in and see what they are like in high tempo training on Wednesday night [in Launceston].''
* Former Tasmanians Adrian Williams and Tom Salter have both been selected in a Queensland under-21 side to take on the VAFA under-21s in Melbourne on June 6.
Last Modified on 19/05/2009 16:59