Reported by Ross Lewis
WA coach Ashley Prescott believes Daniel Bandy and Jarrad Schofield deserve the opportunity to play in Saturday’s clash with Victoria even though both have missed matches in the lead-up due to injury.
Schofield has not played for WAFL club Subiaco since April 28 because of an ankle complaint while hamstring soreness has forced Bandy to be overlooked for Claremont’s past two league matches.
However, both veterans were retained in the Black Swans’ 29-man squad announced yesterday and were considered strong chances of making the 23-man touring party that leaves Perth on Friday.
Prescott said the experience of 32-year-old Schofield and Bandy, 31, was invaluable to a WA team that would face a VFL combined side stacked with former AFL squad members and strong-bodied talent.
“It might be a concern if you were talking about a different type of player but when you take into account the abilities of a Daniel Bandy or a Jarrad Schofield there are no issues whatsoever — as long as they prove their fitness,” Prescott said.
“We are screaming for blokes who want to play and show the passion for the jumper and Daniel and Schoey have that desire. Daniel is still one of the most dominant players in the competition, so to have missed two games won’t bother him at all, especially after he has played 250-odd games of footy. He knows what to do.
“If those boys play, I hope no one looks on it as a negative. State footy is about selecting quality players. Older, experienced footballers are physically conditioned and more used to the demands of State footy. They are proven players at the top level and we need as many of those as we can get. It’s about picking the best side.”
South Fremantle’s two representatives in the WA squad — ruckman Adam Hay and midfielder Andrew Siegert — will have had a two-week break leading into the interstate clash as the Bulldogs had a bye in the WAFL last week.
Victoria have a similar problem. Port Melbourne, Werribee and Casey, who provide 10 members of the Big V’s 39-man squad, had byes in VFL fixtures last weekend.
Bandy wanted to play for Claremont against East Fremantle last Saturday but was overruled by Prescott, also the Tigers coach.
“DB was filthy with me,” Prescott said. “I’m old-school when it comes to hamstrings and wanted him to rest another week to get it right but Daniel thought it would jeopardise his (State) chances.
“I certainly didn’t think that way.”
Tiger Chad Jones, a member of West Coast’s AFL rookie squad, is almost certain to play at full-forward for WA after Subiaco’s dominant spearhead Brad Smith resisted overtures to join the squad due to lingering knee soreness.
“Chad Jones is currently the second best in-form forward behind Brad Smith. I don’t think I’m overly concerned at the goal kicking. We can certainly generate enough scoring opportunities,” Prescott said.
