YARRAWONGA is taking no risks with No.1 ruckman Josh Frawley in the clash against Albury at the J.C. Lowe Oval today.
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Frawley, who has been an influential player since joining the Pigeons, tore an abductor muscle early in the last round against Wangaratta Rovers, but played out the match Yarrawonga won, albeit not without a major scare from the Hawks.
“He got hurt in the first quarter and battled through,” Pigeons coach Bob Craig said.
“He had a fair bit of swelling and he could be out for another week yet.
“We didn’t really know until training last night how bad it was.”
The Pigeons have called up Adam Rudd for his first senior match this season to replace Frawley.
Rudd previously played for Yarrawonga, but only returned to the club again this year to play alongside younger brother Simon.
The Pigeons are also without another ruck option Steve Church, who is presently sidelined with illness.
“I think we’ve only lost three games since Josh Frawley has been at the club,” Craig said.
“He has had a real big influence on how we go about things.
“His influence is enormous.
“We all need to step up a cog now and cover him.
“I’m sure Adam Rudd has played a fair bit of footy and it’s an opportunity for him.”
In a late season clash between traditional arch-rivals Yarrawonga and Wangaratta Rovers at the W.J. Findlay Oval, Frawley was mentioned in the same breath as former Pigeons’ ruckmen Alf O’Connor, Robert Tait, Mick O’Dea and Jarrod Sutherland for his 47-tapout display against the Hawks.
Rudd’s brother Simon made some important contributions in the Ovens and Murray’s country championships wins against Goulburn Valley and Ballarat leagues last weekend after a quiet game against Wangaratta Rovers.
“It wasn’t his best game,” Craig said.
“But he is never a poor player and he is always contributing in some other way.”
