Spirit to take on Bulls
Saturday, 27 June 2009
With a host of their senior players missing for the long road trip to Mareeba tomorrow night, Bundaberg Spirit will be relying on guest players to field a full side for their clash with Far North Queensland Bulls.
On top of the season-ending loss of Jason De Papi, captain Brett Kitching, goal-keeper Daniel Watson, Shane Youngberry and Matt Doolan are all unable to travel, Arian Dubroy and Mitch Broom are still on the absentee list due to illness and injury respectively, and Matt Timbrell is also in doubt.
Coach Brett Hambrecht said forfeiting was not an option and they just have to give it their best shot with who is available.
“If we forfeit, we would be out of the competition, and we won’t be able to get back in, so we have to just tough it out, and I am sure those who are there will do Bundy proud,’’ Hambrecht said.
“Sam Porch, Sam Simpson, Jack Hambrecht, Mitch Hancock, Mitch Hodgkinson, Elliot Causer and Jason Loft put up their hands straight away, and so far, Sam Porch’s brother Joel and Craig Clarke have agreed to help out, and we are waiting to confirm the last few players.
“I can’t praise them enough – it is our furtherest trip away all year, and it is tough, so I can’t blame some of the boys for not being able to make the trip, especially after Townsville last weekend and Mackay a few weeks before that, but after that we have got two more home games and one away in Rockhampton, so I just want to get through this weekend, and we will be right.’’
Clarke was a member of the Spirit squad as one of three keepers last year and did a fine job every time he was given a chance, and he is a ready-made replacement for Watson.
At full strength, Hambrecht would be confident of challenging for their first win after they lost just 1-0 to the Bulls at home on 2nd May, and their recent form has been good, including drawing 1-1 with Queensland Academy of Sport a fortnight ago, before succumbing to fatigue and being cruelled by injuries in going down to North Queensland Razorbacks 7-2 last Saturday after trailing 6-1 at half-time.
The Bulls have four wins and three draws to their credit, but they were beaten 1-0 by Whitsunday Miners last weekend, and they will be keen to triumph in front of their adoring home crowd.
With a make-shift side, Hambrecht is not expecting any miracles, and he simply wants to come away with their heads held high.
“With the team we will have, no-one will be giving us a chance, but even though we will not have had an ideal preparation, we will do our best and compete – we have still got to turn up and play some good football, and that is all that I can ask,’’ he said.
Vince Habermann
Vince Habermann
