It's been a long time coming for North Melbourne supporters, but Robbie Tarrant will finally make his return to football this week.
Named at centre half-forward for the Werribee reserves, North's first selection in the 2007 Draft is expected to play limited game time but will hope to impress in his first game since shoulder and knee injuries hampered his pre-season.
The big forward played five games for North Ballarat in 2008, but will line up for the Tigers as they take on the Scorpions tomorrow at Casey Fields.
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Fourth round pick Nathan O'Keefe has been rewarded for some strong performances with the reserves and has been promoted to the seniors.
The 18 year-old, who kicked 21 goals for the Eastern Ranges in seven games last season, has been an improver at VFL level, booting ten majors so far in 2009.
Werribee's chances improve greatly with the inclusion of North Melbourne regulars Daniel Harris and Todd Goldstein who were omitted from the Kangaroos side.
A cautious approach has been taken with Lachie Hansen. He’ll line up at centre half-back and gain more conditioning and match practice against Melbourne's Brad Miller.
Rookie Ben Speight gets another chance to solidify his position for the Tigers after his senior debut last week, while Alan Obst will again push for a rookie promotion as a jack of all trades through the midfield, up forward or in defence.
Werribee Tigers seniors:
B: Rockefeller Saker Black
HB: Howard Hansen Kenelley
C: Greenwood Chisholm Riggio
HF: Baddeley Obst Barlow
F: Castello Pask Martiniello
R: Goldstein Harris Gleeson
Int: Bryce Haby Denton* O'Keefe Kennedy Quigley Sharp Speight Dickson
Reserves:
B: Meredith Hudson Kovacevic
HB: Speight Haby Sharp
C: Bryce Kennedy Quigley
HF: O'Keefe Tarrant Risol
F: Mather Dickson Prismall
R: Banjanin Magnabosco Robbins
Int: Fletcher Normington Morrow Short Hardy Sheean Latella Lawson
North Ballarat will again boast a strong contingent of Kangaroos' players as it looks to extend its winning streak to seven on Sunday against the third placed Coburg Tigers.
The Roosters' forward line could cause big problems for the young Coburg defence, with Aaron Edwards, Corey Jones, Josh Smith and Michael Wundke all named in attack for the reigning premiers.
Edwards, who has kicked nine goals for North Melbourne in 2009, should add a new dimension to a North Ballarat team already able to kick high scores.
Fellow forward Corey Jones has been in devastating form in recent weeks, the Roos' leading goal scorer in 2007 has booted 17 in the past six matches for North Ballarat, while being named in the best in each of those games.
The midfield also looks strong with a host of youngsters in the mix including Liam Anthony, Marcus White, Cruize Garlett and Warren Benjamin.
Anthony has been quickly recalled to the seniors after a dominant performance in the two's last week in which he picked up 26 possessions and kicked two goals.
North Ballarat seniors:
B: Sharkey Moloney Greig
HB: Watt Searl Feery
C: Roach White Richardson
HF: Spolding Jones Wundke
F: A. Edwards Jo. Smith Driscoll
R: Stephenson Goodes Clifton
Int: N. Peters Garlett Anthony Sewell Cartledge B. Peters* McMahon W. Benjamin Bell
Reserves:
B: Murnane Niblett Limb
HB: Hall McHugh W. Benjamin
C: C. Benjamin N. Peters Chester
HF: Bell Beardsell McMahon
F: Micallef Boyd T. George
R: Orvis Dinnell McKenzie
Int: Raworth Todd A. George Linke Reichman Gubbins Brayshaw Neurath Radley Davies
