North v West Rd 10 2006

[Wedgie]

The 4th preview from this morning's 'tiser:

WILL BLOODS BE ON THE BOIL AGAIN?

The question is not how West Adelaide defied the odds to win its first match of the season last week . . . but rather can it win again this week?

Unless West can get over North Adelaide, at Prospect, tomorrow it runs the risk of being labelled a one-win wonder.

There will be a special touch tomorrow with former North junior Cameron Edson - one of the survivors of the Gladstone explosion - tossing the coin before the match.

The youthful West should take a slice of his courage because being young might be its biggest worry tomorrow. Young heads often get carried away with the slightest success and think more will come without the effort. That never happens.

Having super-tough Peter Walsh, a star with West before being recruited by Melbourne, Jason Porplyzia and Luke Jericho come into the side addressed the talent balance last week. That remains tomorrow even without Nick Prokopec (groin).

There's nine in West's squad of 23 with AFL experience, although Walsh might still be claimed by the Power, which is playing on Sunday.

But it will take a complete team effort to stop the Roosters, who had a rude awakening by being flogged by the Eagles last week.

Darryl Wintle and Nick Gill will be better for the run but North needs to stay in the now and stop getting ahead of itself.

Steven Koops comes back at the right time as Simon Cox (knee) and creative Heath Younie (shoulder) will be missed on the ball.

Ryan Nye, Tate "Rubber Ball" Kaesler and former SA under-18 midfielder Ricky Ebert, the son of Jeff, have been called into the 23-man squad.

Rolling top-of-the-table Port Adelaide last week shocked the Bloods players as much as everybody else. If they don't follow up with at least a red-hot effort, West will be a laughing stock.


Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Doug Robertson