September 07, 2007
From Ballarat Courier
NORTH Ballarat is in the hands of the Kangaroos if there are to be any major changes for tomorrow's Victorian Football League semi-final clash with Sandringham at Port Melbourne.
Prolific goalkicker Robbie Gregg remains the only question mark among the Selkirk Roosters' VFL listed players.
Gregg is struggling with hamstring soreness.
If coach Gerard FitzGerald rules him out, Matt Riggio is the most likely replacement to ensure an emphasis remains on pace and running power.
FitzGerald will make his call after training tonight.
The Kangaroos last night named Leigh Harding and Ed Lower on an extended interchange for their qualifying final battle with Geelong on Sunday.
Lower was close to North Ballarat's best in the startling 37-point victory over Bendigo Bombers on Saturday, while Harding made his biggest impact since returning from knee surgery mid-season.
This is the closest Harding has been to a return to the AFL, but he most likely going to have to wait a little longer before getting promoted.
If Lower is to force his way back into the Kangaroos line-up, he will have to squeeze out fellow youngster Andrew Swallow.
For this reason North Ballarat has included Swallow on its own expanded interchange bench.
Swallow, Riggio, Aaron Clark, Brendan Peace, Tom Limb, Justin Hardy and Wayne Schultz are all inclusions for the Roosters.
Sandringham has strengthened its manpower significantly as it pursues a fourth consecutive premiership.
Melbourne-listed quintet Jace Bode, Ryan Ferguson, Michael Newton, Lynden Dunn and Chris Johnson provide the Zebras with much more backbone.
On top of this the experienced Chris Lamb also returns to help bolster a defence which crumbled against Williamstown in a qualifying final.
The VFL tribunal gave Bendigo Bombers hard man Mark Johnson a severe reprimand after finding him guilty of having attempted to kick Ed Lower.
