IN DISPUTE: Star big men Adam Pascoe and Anthony Welsh battle for possession of the football. PHOTO: Stephen Henderson
Another win, more injuries to key Lions
Written by SCOTT ANDERSON.
WHOROULY’S dreadful run with injuries continued at the weekend, with three star players hurt during a 76-point win over Tatong.
It was an impressive performance from the Lions, who stormed home with 12 scoring shots to one in the final term to win 23.13 (151) to 11.9 (75) despite not having a fit man on the bench.
The win saw Whorouly maintain third position on the Ovens and King Football League ladder, but they will be sweating on the fitness of ruckman Richard Jackson and on-ballers Luke Matheson and Brendan Roche after all three spent the fourth quarter on the bench.
Coach Scott McMasters said none of the three looked to have suffered any serious damage, but added they were unlikely to get up for next weekend’s game against Bonnie Doon.
"They are probably all in the 2-3 week category," McMasters said.
"Jackson got dumped after a mark and hurt his back, and he is very stiff and sore today (Sunday).
"Matheson has a bit of a quad – it’s stiff today, but he said he doesn’t feel like it is a full-on strain.
"And Roach just tightened up in his hamstring, so he’s one who could possibly play next week, but at this stage he would be doubtful."
McMasters said the injuries had cast a pall over what was otherwise an excellent first half of the season from the Lions.
"It’s just bordering on disbelief at the moment," he said.
"Every week we’re having to bring in three new blokes, and we’re not making changes because we want to.
"I think we’re as fit as anyone, but we’re doing knees and backs – they’re not injuries caused by blokes having tired legs.
"But anyway, we’re at the halfway mark of the year and we’ve lost one game – that’s the way we have to look at it."
Among the positives to come out of the match was an excellent performance from Josh Nixon, who booted eight goals on return from a knee injury, but in a warning to the competition, McMasters said the big forward could get better.
"I was rapt with Josh – obviously he’s still not 100 per cent though," McMasters said.
"He took some towering marks, and they just couldn’t combat him when the ball was coming in quickly.
"It was very good, but it wasn’t a fantastic game from him – we’re just happy to have him back though."
Meanwhile Richard Leahy moved into the midfield to great effect, leading McMasters to label the former CDHBU and Barnawartha star the Lions’ best recruit this year.
"Richie played an amazing game," he said.
"He started at half forward, but when we lost Luke Matheson and Brendan Roche we needed to move him into the middle, and he just dominated for four quarters.
"His flexibility is amazing, and he is such a target when he plays in the middle.
"Obviously Josh (Nixon) has been limited in his games, but at this stage you would have to say Richie has been a brilliant pick up – to be best on ground at full forward one week and then in the midfield a couple of weeks later shows what he brings to the side."
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