May 11, 2007
From Ballarat Courier
NORTH Ballarat Football Club has suspended young ruckman Justin Hardy for one match on disciplinary grounds.
Hardy will miss tomorrow's clash with Port Melbourne in the Victorian Football League at Port Melbourne.
NORTH Ballarat Football Club has suspended young ruckman Justin Hardy for one match on disciplinary grounds.
Hardy will miss tomorrow's clash with Port Melbourne in the Victorian Football League at Port Melbourne.
Selkirk Roosters football manager Marg Richards said Hardy had broken team rules.
However, she was not prepared to elaborate any further on what Hardy had down to feel the wrath of the match committee and player leadership group.
Hardy is in his first season with the Roosters after graduating from the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup under-18 competition.
He has played in all four senior matches, making a significant impression with performances in the ruck, and at centre half forward and centre half back.
He told The Courier in the leadup to Sunday's heavy loss to Werribee that he was determined to get a second chance in an AFL draft after missing out last year.
Coach Gerard FitzGerald said Hardy had let down himself and the team.
We've lost a player who is important to our structure," he said.
"The important thing is he learns by it. I'm sure he will," he said.
Hardy is one of three compulsory changes for the Roosters, which also lose Kangaroos-listed duo David Trotter (hamstring) and Daniel McConnell to the AFL.
Trotter strained a hamstring against Werribee.
Although the injury is not as bad as initially thought, Trotter was unable to pass a fitness test at Arden Street yesterday.
Another Kangaroo in Eddie Sansbury is clear to play after being found not guilty by the VFL tribunal of front-on contact on Sunday.
With three out the Roosters have taken the opportunity to select Aaron Clark for his first senior appearance this year and recall goal sneak Stevie Dinnell, who was unlucky not to play against Werribee.
FitzGerald will make a decision on the third player to be promoted after training at Austar Arena tonight.
Ryan Waight, Ben Taylor, Ayden George, Tom Limb and Leigh Ryall are possibilities.
Lake Wendouree youngster Taylor is searching for his VFL senior debut, while George, Limb and Ryall are yet to force their way into the senior line-up this season.
Clark had a slow start to his pre-season, but the 26-year-old is an experienced VFL defender with 73 games under his belt.
FitzGerald said Clark gave the Roosters most options with his ability to play tall if necessary.
