In the VFL team selection for the Good Friday showdown, there is only one adjustment from the previous round’s victory over Sandringham. John Noble will be brought into the senior squad, replacing Oleg Markov.
Markov, who will be making his first VFL appearance since April last year, will take on a significant leadership role in the backline.
Aside from this change, the remainder of the team remains consistent with the lineup from the season’s opening game, where the Pies secured a 28-point victory.
Notable contributions from young players like Harvey Harrison, Ed Allan, and Joe Richards in the previous match have impressed AFL Senior Coach Craig McRae, setting a positive tone for the upcoming fixture.
“I’m really pleased with our VFL team and the work done by Josh Fraser and the rest of the staff. They’ve done a fantastic job setting up our young players,” said McRae during a Tuesday press briefing.
“The performance in Round One was outstanding. I was impressed by what I saw when I attended the match, and I left feeling even more energized by the team’s performance.
“Our young players are exceeding expectations. Players like Harvey Harrison, Ed Allan, and TJ (Tew Jiath) are really standing out.”
SSP recruits Lachie Sullivan (30 disposals) and Jack Bytel (26 disposals) will continue to play key roles in the midfield after their strong debuts for the club. Ned Long, who recorded an impressive 17 tackles last week, will also feature prominently.
Jedd Longmire and Cooper Macdonald, both VFL-listed players, will serve as the traveling emergencies for the trip to Queensland.
