North will take a trip down the highway to Simonds Stadium on Sunday, to face a Geelong side that also has a 1-2 record after three rounds.
Both sides are licking their wounds after bruising Round 3 encounters, with changes a definite for the Cats and a possibility for the Kangaroos.
Have your say on any potential changes in the comments at the bottom of the page.
Midfielders
Jack Ziebell’s availability is up in the air after he suffered bruised lungs against Port. He was discharged from hospital on Monday morning and is ‘hopeful’ of facing Geelong according to Director of Football Geoff Walsh.
If he is unable to recover in time, Daniel Wells looms as a direct replacement after he was a late withdrawal on Saturday night. However Trent Dumont could fill the void as an inside midfielder.
Rain is expected at Simonds Stadium and coincidentally, Dumont has excelled playing in wet conditions in the VFL. Last week he was one of the Roosters’ best in the slippery conditions at Eureka Stadium.
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Dumont has the ability to find a lot of the ball and had 15 disposals in the second quarter of North Ballarat’s win last Sunday.
Defenders
Jamie Macmillan is listed as a ‘test’ on the injury list and his return would be incredibly valuable against a Geelong side with several dangerous mid-sized options.
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Lachlan Hansen continues to train, building up his fitness but a return this week may be too soon.
The structure of the Geelong forward line could dictate how North lines up down back. Depending if Tom Hawkins, Mitch Clark, Rhys Stanley and Josh Walker all play, Joel Tippett may be a chance to return after playing in the VFL.
Forwards
If there is to be a change to the forward setup, Majak Daw looks to be the front runner based on recent VFL form.
RELATED: Werribee VFL report
Playing at Simonds Stadium last Friday night, Daw spent large amounts of the evening matched up on Jared Rivers – who also could be in line for a recall to the Geelong side. The two had an absorbing battle, with Daw able to provide a target leading up the ground towards Werribee’s midfielders.
