North Launceston coach Taylor Whitford says Bart McCulloch is doing everything right to earn a recall as the ex-AFL ruck faces a third week in the development league.
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The Northern Bombers haven't been afraid to make tough selection calls this season after a start which, despite only one loss, hasn't yet hit their usual lofty heights.
Premiership wingman Liam Davies played development league last week but has won a recall for Saturday's grand final rematch at Lauderdale following a best-on-ground performance.
This week gun forward Tom Bennett joined Ben Simpson, Connor Young and McCulloch on an emergency list boasting more than 10 TSL flags while 17-year-old Baynen Lowe was named for a senior debut.
Whitford made no excuses for rewarding good performances with senior selection and backed McCulloch to return to his usual full-forward post sooner rather than later.
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"It's just about the right mix," Whitford said.
"It's not about name on paper, it's the way you're performing, so if you're not performing you're not going to play.
"[Bart] has gone away and his attitude has been A-class, so he's put himself in a good position to play this weekend and not just him, there's some other kids in our development league - Baynen Lowe has been in our emergencies the last couple of weeks as well.
"Form talks and if you're playing good footy you'll come up and play senior footy - it's not about your name or what you've done in the past, it's the present."
After gathering just five touches in the round one win over North Hobart, McCulloch has slotted six goals in eye-catching development league performances against Launceston and Clarence.
"He got some feedback to work on some things and he's gone back to development league footy and kicked half their score the last two weeks," Whitford said.
"He's done all the right things and he was emergency the previous two as well, so he's around the mix and whether he plays this week or next, he's definitely around our best 22."
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Hamish Geale
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
Hamish Geale is a senior reporter at The Examiner. Got good news? Email: hgeale@examiner.com.au
