Out with one star, in with another.
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North Launceston captain Brad Cox-Goodyer will sit out Saturday’s away match against North Hobart with general soreness and will be replaced by reigning premiership coach Tom Couch.
The Northern Bombers are Winx-like favourites to topple the last-placed Demons at North Hobart Oval but coach Taylor Whitford said Cox-Goodyer would have been rested heading into next week’s bye regardless of the opposition.
Cox-Goodyer missed round 2 with a hamstring strain and played out last year’s grand final with a groin injury.
“He’s not too bad but I know me personally last year that when I had that time off (with an ankle injury) and was able to get it right, it was fine come finals time,” Whitford said.
“So for Brad it’s about getting it right now… he can still get through games – it’s about 90 per cent.”
North is coming off a win over Clarence and Whitford said Couch was a well-liked player among his group.
“It’s a bit of a vibe-lifter knowing that you’ve got a quality player coming in, but our club for four or five years hasn’t been about one player,” he said.
“He will play forward-mid. He’s been training over in Melbourne and I want to get some game time into him so he will play a fair bit of time on ball just to get some kays back into the legs.”
North Hobart coach Richard Robinson has made five changes to his best 22.
LAUNCESTON will travel to Bellerive Oval for a clash against Clarence – the same place they ended the Roos’ 2017 campaign.
The Blues have made two changes to the side that defeated Lauderdale two weeks ago with Anthony Liberatore and James Gillow named ahead of Sonny Whiting and Ben Killalea. Coach Sam Lonergan and Jobi Harper will both continue their recoveries back in the seconds.
“Three weeks ago Jobi and I both started playing. Jobi’s played consistently and increased his game time... whereas I played the first half and struggled after half-time and pulled up really sore,” Lonergan said.
“I’ve missed a couple and will go back out and start my process again.”
Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley confirmed forward Trent Standen would miss again with Brady Jones (injury), Chris Nield (suspension), Connor Berry and Michael Blackburn out for Jason Bailey, Ryan Bailey, Alex Gaul and Tyson Hanslow.