From Hobart Mercury
Reported by Brett Stubbs
Full Story click here
TASMANIA has rushed in Glenorchy's Clinton French and Clarence's Trent Standen to cover injuries and to inject speed into a top heavy squad.
The duo have come into a group cut to 26 in preparation for Saturday's clash between the TSL and VFL at Blundstone Arena.
Gone from the initial group are talls Joe Groenewegen (Launceston), Alex Hill (Lauderdale), Larry Owen (North Hobart), Aaron McNab (Devonport) and Mitch van den Berg (North Launceston).
Standen is arguably the best small forward in the competition and has been working on his form with four goals against Launceston on Saturday, while French has been in outstanding this season since being switched from the forward pocket to become a rebounding defender.
Tasmanian coach Adam Sanders said the squad was waiting on the fitness of trio Scott Stephens (foot), Brady Jones (shoulder) and Dylan Riley (abductor).
"We've picked a reasonably tall side so we'll just make sure we cover off in case it's rain and 8C," Sanders said.
"With adding French and Standen as small running players who can play a real role, I think we have got those positions covered. I'm pretty confident Scott will be right to go and Brady has done everything he possibly can to get up and play. We'll just make sure they are right to go and hopefully they are."
The VFL - widely regarded as the best state league in Australia - will provide a huge challenge for the TSL in just its fourth season.
"They have got seven players in there that have played AFL footy, led by John Baird their captain," Sanders said.
"He's played 50-odd games for North Melbourne, been a really good player for Port Melbourne for the last five years. They have got about seven players from their VFL academy so very similar to us with 20 to 24-year-olds.
"They have got a pretty good mix of experience, especially around the midfield, some really strong midfielders who have played VFL footy for a long time."
A promising sign for Tasmania has been the form of the three talls selected.
Burnie's Jason Laycock is widely acknowledged as the state's best player, Glenorchy's Ben Brown has been in a rich vein of form recently and South Launceston's Bart McCulloch kicked four goals in a best afield effort on Sunday.
"It will depend on the conditions a bit because I would certainly like to play them and play them as ruckmen and as big strong forwards," Sanders said.
"They can all play that role so hopefully it all comes together and we can sort of stretch."
