MURRAY Bushrangers have drawn on their wealth of big-man depth by selecting Yarrawonga ruckman Joe Gorman for his first game.
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With Floyd Bollinghaus injured, Ben Kelly playing for GWS Academy and Mark Marriott being rested, the 196cm youngster has been given a chance after showing some strong form for the Pigeons’ thirds.
Gorman has put 5kg on to his frame since returning from Xavier College boarding school this season and is excited to break into the TAC Cup side.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Gorman, 18, said.
“It’s a bit easier being back at Yarrawonga with training and things like that.”
Gorman is one of several youngsters to progress from Yarrawonga’s thirds to the Murray Bushrangers this year with Isaac McMillan and Bailey Frauenfelder already having a taste.
Coach Leon Higgins said Gorman had progressed nicely.
“We are starting to see improvement and it will be good to see him at TAC Cup level,” Higgins said.
“His body shape has changed and he’s earned a spot.”
The Bushrangers have made a host of changes with Doulton Langlands, Jacob Koschitzke, Hudson Garoni and Zane Barzen also included.
Angus Hicks (concussion) and Joe Richards (groin) are among the omissions.
Although Calder Cannons are sitting on the bottom of the ladder, Higgins expects them to provide tough opposition on Saturday.
”They have struggled at the start of the season but we play them at Craigieburn on their home ground and they are always dangerous there,” he said.
“They don’t have the height we have but their forward line is quite small and mobile so that will be a challenge.”
The Murray Bushrangers team is:
B: Beasley, Koschitzke, Clarke; hb, Langlands, Butts, Paton; c, Donaghey, Oakes, Lane; hf, Smith, Boyd, Wilson; f, Wallace, Johnston, Garoni; foll, Gorman, Jones, Richards; inter, Schilg, Bond, Bruce, Trotter. emerg: Dang, Frauenfelder, McMillan, Barzen (23rd)