Key midfielders Jobe Watson and Andrew Lovett are back for this week’s pre-season match against North Melbourne at QE Oval in Bendigo.
Speaking on 'Best 22' this week, assistant coach Gary O'Donnell said that Watson has recovered from tightness and will be a big inclusion.
He said that veteran Dustin Fletcher and the exciting Jarrod Atkinson will also return and play in defence where they will be joined by 18-year-old Michael Hurley who made his debut last Friday night against Collingwood.
“At the moment he (Hurley) is a very good chance to play Round 1, it’s not out of the question for him to play beside Ryder and Fletcher as our key backs,” O'Donnell said.
O'Donnell said Scott Gumbleton was still feeling some tightness in his back and will remain out for another week as the club wanted to be conservative with him.
