NORTH Albury will field its 13th and 14th first-gamers for the year when Matt Endresz and Lindsay Musgrave make their senior debuts today.
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The Hoppers have introduced 12 new players in the opening four rounds and have added to that this week.
Endresz and Musgrave were two of seven changes made by the Hoppers for the clash with Wodonga Raiders at Bunton Park.
North Albury coach Jason Akermanis, also included, said even he was surprised by the new blood in his team.
“Obviously injuries have helped that, but the future is really bright,” he said.
“We’re making sure we play as many kids as we can and have been trying to get as much game time into as many as we can.
“Seven changes can be good and bad, but we get a couple of our A-Graders back, as well.
“Guys like Kris Holman and Lachie Taylor-Tugent.”
Today’s clash against the Raiders will be seen as a genuine 50-50 contest after the Raiders copped a 92-point thumping from Wangaratta Rovers last week.
North Albury has impressed in all four of its games after being widely tipped to go through the season without a win.
Akermanis said it was only a matter of time before the Hoppers broke through for their second victory.
“We’ve been playing some wonderful football,” he said.
“We just need to give our forwards more of a chance.
“We haven’t been terrible in any of our games and it’s only a matter of time before we string it together for four quarters.
“It won’t matter who we are playing when we do that.
“The results will come.”