The O and M will again take a weakened team into Saturday’s interleague blockbuster against Goulburn Valley after two star players withdrew due to injury.
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The league’s best forward Michael Newton (five goals) ruled himself out with a calf complaint, while Albury’s Brayden O’Hara also re-injured his calf in the same game against Wangaratta.
It’s the fourth time he’s damaged his calf, while Newton took the injury into the match.
“It’s just precautionary at the moment, I haven’t strained anything,” Newton said.
“It was tight during the week coming in, I won’t be playing (interleague) next week.
“I’ll be right the week later against Wodonga, so I’ll get myself right for that.”
Wodonga Raiders’ utility Jydon Neagle had already ruled himself out of the match with a shoulder complaint, but how co-coaches Darrell Spencer and Jon Henry would love him, particularly after he kicked 10 against North Albury.
“Absolutely, I was definitely in and ready to go, but the way my body is at the moment, it’s not exactly 100 per cent, so the week off will probably do it a lot of good,” Neagle said.
The league will now head into the match without at least seven automatic selections, including Daniel Cross and Dean Polo (unavailable) and Tyler Bonat (injury).
It was tight during the week coming in, I won’t be playing (interleague) next week.
- Michael Newton
And another potential replacement could also be doubtful.
“I don’t want to rule him (Tom Johnson) out, but it’s a massive load today to make sure we got the right result but, geez, he had to do a lot of work,” Wodonga coach Dean Harding said.
But it’s not all bad news with Lavington captain Luke Garland returning with nine goals from a hamstring complaint.
“Yeah, I’m always keen to play that sort of stuff,” he said.
