AN ankle complaint will see North Launceston coach Tom Couch sit out Sunday’s clash with bottom-placed Burnie at West Park.
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Couch will join already injured captain Taylor Whitford and star half back Jay Lockhart on the sidelines, which he is “looking forward to”.
“I’ll get a jab of cortisone in the ankle and I’ll be right for next week [against Glenorchy],” Couch said on Thursday.
“It’s a good time for me to get up in the box and really watch the game unfold.
“There are about six or seven playing coaches in the competition and out of all them Thorpy (Mitch Thorp) and I have played more than anyone and it’s really hard to get a gage on things while you’re playing.
“You’re really reliant on your assistants and I’m very lucky in that regard with one of the best coaching panels in the league.”
Connor Young will make his return from a lengthy injury along with Tassie Mariner Tyran Mansell to replace Couch and Karlton Wadley for the North-West road trip.
Dockers coach Clinton Proctor, Finlay Poke and Blair Rubock will also miss with Mariner Thomas Mundy, Blair Challis and Darcy Crane to play.
Fierce Southern rivals CLARENCE and Glenorchy will clash at Bellerive Oval for the Bingley-Linton Cup on Saturday.
Magpies coach Aaron Cornelius said his side were shocked after losing to the Roos in round 6 and that they are eager for redemption.
He said being overrun after leading seven minutes into the final term was not good enough from the reigning premiers.
“It was a young group and a great lesson for some guys,” he said.
“We haven’t beaten any in the top five so we’ve got to try and make amends on that and turn our season around.”
The Pies welcome back Ryan Banks-Smith, while Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley has recalled leaders Jake Cox, Jason Bailey and Jack Gleeson.
“Glenorchy has got a lot of flexibility in their team so we need to make sure we can sort of contain that and play our way,” Webberley said.
DEVONPORT have made no changes for its round 15 battle at home with Hobart City, while fourth-placed LAUDERDALE also think its 22 from last week can account for Tigers.
LAUNCESTON has the bye.