MICHAEL Newton will make his highly-anticipated debut for Wangaratta against Lavington on Saturday night.
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The Magpies brought the former high-flying Melbourne forward in for his debut at Norm Minns Oval after missing the opening three rounds of the season with a hamstring injury.
But in a blow for the Magpies, former coach Judd Porter is set to miss a month after dislocating his elbow in the round three draw against Yarrawonga.
Porter will be joined on the sidelines by rugged midfielder Glenn Wyatt, who took a one-match set penalty for rough conduct.
Wangaratta coach Brendan Cairns said Porter was unlikely to return before the interleague bye.
“There wasn’t a break, which is good news, but we will probably know more next week once the swelling goes down and he gets a little bit of physio done on it,” he said.
“The first indications we’ve got are that he’ll miss about a month.
“It’s disappointing for Judd because he’s had a really good pre-season and he’s one of our leaders.
“We’re going to need some players to step up.”
Cairns said Newton, who returns to the North East after a successful stint at Norwood, was itching to make his debut for Wangaratta after doing the running for the past two matches.
“He was about 95 per cent on the weekend and could have played but we didn’t want to take any risks,” he said.
“He just wants to get out there and play, unfortunately he copped an injury at the wrong time.”
Lavington named Kade Stevens and Justin Koschitzke for their first matches of the season.
Stevens hasn’t played since suffering a fractured neck against Wodonga Raiders in round 15 last year while Koschitzke has missed the past two rounds after starting the season in the reserves for the Panthers.
The Raiders’ line-up has been significantly bolstered by the returns of Jydon Neagle, Adam Flagg and Matt McDonald.
Wodonga named Brett Doswell to face Yarrawonga after the star midfielder suffered a heavy knock to the head against Wangaratta Rovers.
Upper Murray teenager Harry Pole will make his debut for the Bulldogs, who will again be without Daniel Bradshaw.
Albury recalled a quartet of big guns to face Myrtleford, with Daniel Cross, Dean Polo, Setanta and Aisake O’hAilpin coming into the Tigers’ side.
