BARNAWARTHA has been dealt a savage blow ahead of its season opener against Chiltern, with ruckman Stephen Bradshaw set to miss at least the opening month of the season with a shoulder injury.
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Bradshaw crossed from Dederang-Mount Beauty this season and suffered a dislocated shoulder after being crunched in a contest against Bright in a practice match.
Back-up ruckman James Wells will also miss at least this week with a knee injury after a motorbike accident.
Further compounding the Tigers’ woes, Manly-Warringah recruit Blake Brendan has returned to Sydney without playing a match.
Midfielder Kyle McNamara is also out for four to six weeks after slicing a finger and damaging tendons.
Barnawartha coach Mark Sarau said the crippling injury toll would test the Tigers’ depth.
“We can’t take a trick at the moment and desperately need to get our injured players back sooner rather than later,” Sarau said.
“If we can get these players back playing we should be able to remain in the finals mix.
“But if the injuries keep going we are going to be in trouble.”
By contrast, Chiltern welcomes back athletic tall Jaise Coleman, who spent last season with Port Fairy in the Hampden league.
Coleman is a former junior and last played with the Swans in 2012 and 2013.
The versatile big man can play in the ruck as well as key forward and finished runner-up behind Barnawartha’s Cameron McNeill in the Barton medal in 2013.
Barnawartha hosts Chiltern in a replay of last year’s elimination final, in which the Tigers scored a convincing 51-point win.
The two clubs will play for the Laracy Shield, named in honour of Simon Laracy, who died in a workplace accident in 2009.
The Laracy family has strong ties with both the Barnawartha and Chiltern communities.
Sarau said the Laracy Shield held special significance for both clubs.
“I wasn’t at Barnawartha when Simon passed away but when I was coaching Rutherglen the Laracy name was always synonymous with Barnawartha,” he said.
“Simon’s parents Frank and Kath are heavily invol- ved with the club, while his brother Shane obviously still plays.
“In honour of Simon, all the players have his No. 19 on the top left hand corner of their jumpers.”
Barnawartha holds a 3-2 edge in the Laracy Shield.
