It’s been a long road since his last AFL game, but close to two years later, Taylor Garner will return to the North Melbourne line up.
Persistent hamstring issues wiped out Garner’s 2014 season, and while he’s only played four VFL games this season, the form displayed by the 21-year-old has been too good to ignore.
“He injured his thumb and we thought he’d be out for a bit longer,” Brad Scott admitted to NMFC.com.au.
“When he played in the VFL last week his competitiveness was outstanding. He’s been able to get a lot of conditioning work so we’re really keen to get him in the side.
“He makes things happen and he’s a player who plays at a really high intensity. It’s certainly what we need in our side.”
Also in for his first game of the season is Aaron Mullett. Shoulder surgery interrupted his pre-season before the left footer returned through the VFL with North Ballarat.
Able to find the ball at will, the 23-year-old has rounded out his game in recent weeks to earn his recall for his season debut.
“He’s been giving North Ballarat a lot offensively from his station at half back, but the last two weeks he’s really taken on board everything he’s been working on and he’s got the balance right.
“He’ll give our side a lot more run, a lot more speed and he brings the defensive capabilities we need.”
Ryan Bastinac responded to his omission in the best possible way, tallying 63 disposals in two games for the Roosters.
“We made it clear we’re going to pick players who are performing and players who are in the senior side and not performing will miss out.
“Ryan lost his place but the last two weeks he’s been terrific at VFL level and he’s performed so he gets his opportunity on the back of that.”
Ben Brown returns after one week in the VFL, kicking four goals for Werribee. He replaces the omitted Majak Daw.
“Browny went back and performed at a really high level for Werribee.
“It’s hard for Maj, but that’s the reason for the change.”
Lindsay Thomas has been omitted and will play his first game for North Ballarat in two years. The small forward’s output has decreased in recent weeks.
“By his own admission he hasn’t been performing to the levels he expects. But he’s a quality footballer and a class performer.
“He’ll go back and perform, I’ve got no doubt. He’s too good a player to be in the VFL for long and this is just a bit of a reboot so he can come back into the senior side and play the way we want him to play.
Lachlan Hansen’s hip injury is only minor, with the key defender expected to return soon.
Meanwhile Trent Dumont has been sent back to the VFL largely for extra game time after several consecutive matches as the substitute.
“It’s a little bit for the balance of the side with another midfielder (Bastinac) coming back in.
“Trent just misses because we can’t continue to de-condition him playing as the sub for any length of time.”
Team v Geelong
B: Sam Wright, Robbie Tarrant, Michael Firrito
HB: Nick Dal Santo, Scott Thompson, Jamie Macmillan
C: Ben Jacobs, Shaun Atley, Sam Gibson
HF: Brent Harvey, Jarrad Waite, Jack Ziebell
F: Ben Brown, Drew Petrie, Shaun Higgins
Fol: Todd Goldstein, Ben Cunnington, Andrew Swallow
Int: Ryan Bastinac, Taylor Garner, Robbie Nahas, Aaron Mullett
Emer: Luke McDonald, Mason Wood, Kayne Turner
In: Ryan Bastinac, Aaron Mullett, Ben Brown, Taylor Garner
Out: Lachlan Hansen (hip), Lindsay Thomas, Majak Daw, Trent Dumont (all omitted)
Milestone: Scott Thompson – 150 games
Meanwhile Geelong has made three changes, with experienced duo Jimmy Bartel and James Kelly returning. Ruckman Dawson Simpson has also been named.
Team v North Melbourne
B: Harry Taylor, Tom Lonergan, Jed Bews
HB: Corey Enright, Jared Rivers, Cameron Guthrie
C: Mark Blicavs, Joel Selwood, Andrew Mackie
HF: Cory Gregson, Josh Walker, Mathew Stokes
F: Jordan Murdoch, Josh Walker, Darcy Lang
Fol: Dawson Simpson, Josh Caddy, Steve Johnson
Int: Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly, Steven Motlop, Jackson Thurlow
Emer: Shane Kersten, Jake Kolodjashnij, Billie Smedts
In: Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly, Dawson Simpson
Out: Shane Kersten, Jake Kolodjashnij, Michael Luxford (all omitted)
