Late withdrawal headaches rattle Pies’ selection table

BOORT’S hopes of a bolstered line-up for Saturday’s clash against Donald were cruelled almost from the first bounce.

The undermanned Pies were unable to selected new recruit Luke Dowdle who became unavailable late week after having wisdom teeth extracted.

The anticipated return of ruckman Nathan Twigg was delayed after the club sent him for a precautionary MRI, still displaying some concussion symptoms from a heavy knock three weeks ago.

And then his replacement Frasier Holland had to withdraw on Friday night, a knee knock from the previous round still niggling.

And with Chisari and Muscatello now not expected to play for the remainder of the season, the pressure was on the younger Pies

Cam Ross would eventually step in to the No 1 ruck role for Saturday’s clash and battled valiantly all afternoon.

The Pies were missing too many key players to realistically expect a win but

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- Boort: Not supplied. Donald: jumped out with commitment to establish a three-goal lead in the first term, moving the ball well across the midfield and for the first time since opening rounds of the season, finishing off in front of goal.

O. Brennan, J. Reilly, J. Lydom, M. Burke, T. Lydom.

- Boort: C. Hird, C. Gooding, R. Chislett, C.

N. Howe. Donald: B. Donnellon, J. Lydom, M. Burke, B. Coleman-Young.

The Royals set about changing fortunes in the second term, their up-tempo pres- sure forcing midfield errors by the Pies. Boort was only a goal down at the main break and had some hope of stemming the tide.

They had many successful stoppages but were unable to counter the strength and influence of Donald’s Sam Dunstan who went onto kick eight goals for the game, often capping off the work of ruck rover Steve Dinnell who was named best on ground.

Hayden Geddes commanded the Royals’ defensive zone, his example pressure crucial in turning over Boort’s forward thrusts in the second half.

For Boort, Jack Smith was named the best. And although Dunstan was in form, had it not been for Smith’s tight work, the total may have been higher.

Smith in fact worked overtime for the undermanned Boort defence. McGhie and Aitken also saw plenty of the play across the midfield.

Again, however, a depleted Boort ran out of legs in the second half.