by Thiele » Thu Sep 17, 2015 5:32 pm
WEST
West Adelaide has been dealt a further blow with key defender Adam Hartlett ruled out of Sunday’s Preliminary Final against Central with a thigh injury.
A member of the Bloods’ leadership group, Hartlett hurt his quad during the first term of the Second Semi Final but continued to play in pain.
‘’He’s been fantastic for us particularly with his on-field discipline this year,’’ West football manager Andrew Marks said.
‘’He’s been displaying great leadership so he will certainly be missed.’’
The former Carlton player has been joined on the Bloods’ omission list with defender Logan Hill and classy forward Aaron Fielke, who have both been sidelined with concussion.
Ex-Glenelg utility Riley Milne looms as the direct replacement for Hartlett after being named at centre half-back.
‘’Riley can play tall or small and he can rebound off his opponent to provide some important drive for us,’’ Marks said.
Star midfielder Taite Silverlock is edging closer to a return from a hamstring strain suffered against Port in the Qualifying Final.
‘’As the week has gone by he’s getting closer to playing,’’ Marks said of Silverlock.
‘’But he’s got to train with the main group on Friday night first as he hasn’t managed that yet.’’
Should Silverlock not recover it could open the door for strong-bodied midfielder Jadyn Brind to make his League debut.
A member of the McDonald’s SA Under-18 team this year, Brind – from Roxby Downs – measures in at 180cm and 92kg.
His fellow State team-mate, Jack Agostino, looks certain to replace Hill in the back pocket while key position player Ben Klemke has been included on the extended interchange bench.
F: Haysman, Webb, Anderson
HF: Green, Tuck, Beech
C: Homburg, Stevens, Schiller
HB: Caire, Milne, Wasley-Black
B: Agostino, Keough, Helbig
R: Willits, Schmidt, Snelling
INT: Silverlock, Klemke, Middleton, Brind, Porplyzia
IN: Milne, Silverlock, Brind, Klemke, Agostino
OUT: Hill (concussion), Fielke (concussion), Hartlett (quad)
James Ezard Joint 2009 Magarey Medalist
Personal views only not views of the West Adelaide Footy Club or Bedford Indstries