General Manager Football Operations confirmed today that Rowe was in line for selection after not playing in last week’s opening matches of the NAB Cup. Rowe is returning from an AC injury injured in January during training.
Rowe will be part of the 29-man squad involved in Sunday’s game, however Chris Judd, Nick Duigan, Mitch Robinson, Jarrad Waite and Andrew Walker will not be part of the squad with these five players due to commence 2012 action in the round 3 match against Brisbane in Maroochydore.
“We don’t expect to have any of the big name players coming back into the team this week, most will return against Brisbane the following week,” McKay said.
“This week’s squad will be made up of more of the experienced players from last week’s two sides that played against Port Adelaide and Adelaide. We expect to make the four changes at half time as part of the management of the players as we prepare for the season, in particular the players who played most of last weekend’s two games,” added McKay.
Importantly McKay said all players, including Michael Jamison were expected to be ready for the opening game against Richmond at the MCG on Thursday March 29. The only experienced player who may be in doubt is Rob Warnock who is recovering from shoulder operations.
McKay said while the Blues were disappointed to lose the two games in Adelaide, there were plenty of positives to come out of the trip to the city of churches.
“The slow start in the first game was very disappointing, we were second to the ball and it seemed the players were still asleep in the bus, but they turned it around and almost won the game, which would have been daylight robbery to be honest.
“The second game against Adelaide was much better; we were very good in the stoppages and importantly the games gave a number of players a chance to get some game time. First year players Dale and Buckley both did well as did Josh Bootsma after a slow start in the first game.”
McKay said travelling with a squad of 34 was different to a normal home and away game with more distractions that normal but said it was an important experience for the young players.
