LAUNCESTON will be without two key players as they prepare to take on cross-town rivals Western Storm at Windsor Park on Sunday.
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Blues captain Brennan Savage is likely to miss four to six weeks with a broken wrist and Michael Musicka will be on the sidelines for four weeks due to suspension after copping two penalties on separate striking charges from last week’s game against Lauderdale.
Musicka received a two-week ban for striking Lauderdale’s Nick Dodge, which was reduced to one week for an early plea, and a three-week penalty for striking Nat Franklin.
The Blues regained defenders Jack Donnellan and Tom Claridge from injury and included Curtis Murfett as they attempt to string consecutive wins together.
‘‘It’s important for our group that we can string a couple of performances together and hopefully that equates to a win going into the bye, which would give the boys confidence to take on the rest of the season,’’ Launceston coach Scott Stephens said.
WESTERN Storm lost Mitch Hodgetts to the Mariners and relegated Corry Goodluck, Joe Chilcott and Lewis Ritchie to emergencies after coach Mitch Hills threatened to axe players following last week’s lack of effort against Clarence.
They added Jacob Knight, Claye Young and Billy Jack to the interchange bench.
‘‘To be expected after last week, tough decisions needed to be made with some players, especially in terms of what I said earlier in the week with the effort and desire to compete,’’ Storm coach Mitch Hills said.
‘‘So we’ve made a bit of a stand this week with guys coming out of the side who weren’t doing what we require, and we will give those spots to guys who really want to be there and some young guys who have showed some promise.’’
NORTH Launceston lost three key defenders for their road trip to play Hobart City.
Corey Nankervis is playing in the curtain-raiser game at the MCG to the Dreamtime at the G Indigenous clash.
Logan Reynolds goes out to the Mariners with Andrew Cox-Goodyer out injured after rolling an ankle last week.
Zach Burt should return from a quad injury to strengthen the forward line after being a late withdrawal last week with Will Lockhart and Trent Griggs named on interchange.
‘‘Young Trent Griggs will play his first game, which is really pleasing after breaking his leg last year in the colts semi-final,’’ North coach Zane Littlejohn said.
‘‘He played some really good development league games as a medium-tall defender and gets a crack at his first game, which is exciting.’’
Devonport regained Sam Hess and named Aaron McNab and Brad Symmons to return from injury as they prepare for their Coastal derby against Burnie.
Tyler Gavralas and Jesse Johnson go out to the Mariners.
Burnie lost coach Clinton Proctor and Zach Smith but had two important inclusions in Brodie Knight and Nick McKenna.