ROUND 15 PREVIEW: CATS v WILSTON GRANGE
After a Covid enforced break, the Cats enter round 15 keen to snap a 3 game losing streak against Grange at home.
It is a touch one step forward, 2 steps back on the injury front. Whilst the week off sees the availability of Sam JASPER and Liam NELSON (who served his suspension last week), the Cats again have lost Southport listed Josh Hall to a quad injury, ruck Tom BETSON to a knee injury and unfortunately early competition medal front runner Ty ARMITAGE to what may be a syndesmosis injury. Matt LITTLE and James ROYES also go out of the side that was beaten last start by an in-form Sherwood Magpies.
Troy TOUSSAINT, who came to the club in a large part to close friend and fellow player Lucas JELLYMAN-TURNER will make his debut after several strong performances in the reserves. All the best Troy! Also returning to the side is young ruck Ryan PICKERING, key position player Daniel GROSE and long term club stalwart Ben HANCOCK. Also back from academy and Suns VFL duties is Bodhi UWLAND, whose draft credentials are firming each week due to his excellent form.
Wilston Grange whilst being a young side always have a crack, are enthusiastic and recently recorded a strong win against Mt Gravatt. Key to this match will be the start. The past 3 matches, the Cats have failed to turn early game ascendency into genuine scoreboard pressure. In the last meeting between the clubs the Gorillas jumped out of the blocks kicking the first 4 goals of the match before the Cats assumed control, and no doubt the boys will be looking assert themselves early in the game.
IN: Hancock, Uwland, Grose, Pickering, Toussaint (debut)
OUT: Hall (inj.), Armitage (inj.), Betson (inj.), Little (omitted), Royes (omitted).
Our Development side have been boosted by several inclusions including popular younger Harrison ROWLES for his first game for the season and Jacob WELSH who has recovered from a kick boxing mishap. Darcy DIENJES will be better for the run last start as will Geelong inter-league rep Alex Maloney, who has been named at full forward. Sam CUNNIGTON has been named again after a surprising early return last start after a couple of late withdrawals. Also into the side is young speedster Mitch TUCKER, from Yeppoon, who impressed all in his one appearance up at Noosa.
Our colts side faces a must win game against a traditionally strong Grange colts side, and selection this week reflects the importance of the match. The side feature 5 Queensland 17 representatives in ECKERSLEY (senior emergency), DAWSON, ZANKER-CLOSE, REYNOLSON and BAINES. Also selected are 3 additional players that have played senior QAFL footy this season in ROGERS, MUNRO and HOWARD. Young FORBES from the under 16s also makes his debut at colts level after kicking plenty of goals at junior level recently.
Both women’s sides will start favorites this week against Robina, so all are encouraged to hang around after the seniors and support.
Good luck to all teams.