""It is not an ideal situation losing both Reynolds and Ramanauskas - both are running players. But the bonus is we have an opportunity to elevate two rookies. We have to promote these rookies to maintain our list size and depth.
""We also decided to promote Hall and Johns so we can at some stage have a look at these two players and ascertain whether or not they will be viable options come finals time. I would hope either or will get a senior game before the finals,"" assistant coach Robert Shaw said.
It is the second time Hall has been elevated to the senior list. The 22-year-old was promoted midway through last season to replace Dean Solomon who missed the entire year because of a knee injury. The former Tasmanian has been in excellent form in the VFL side. Last weekend he kicked three goals and was a key to the Bendigo Bombers’ narrow win over the Northern Bullants. ""Ken Hall has taken his game to the next level this season. He has been a back pocket / half-back player over the past few years and has now gone into the mid-field,"" Shaw said.
""Hall has got himself very fit and is in the best physical condition of his career. He has good balance and good speed and he is probably the longest kick at our club. Now he has turned himself into a goal kicking midfielder who is a very good footballer. His performances this year are probably second only to Ben Haynes, who has already been elevated,"" Shaw said.
For Johns’, today’s elevation is a huge boost. The 18-year-old, who played his junior football with East Fremantle, had suffered a chronic hip injury prior to last year’s National Draft and was basically told he would never play again. But the Bombers took the punt on him anyway and the patience of the fitness and medical staff has been rewarded. At 191cm and 92kg, Johns has the bulk to handle himself at senior level. His leading and marking has been a feature of his game during VFL games. ""I have no doubt that he will play a senior game before the finals because we don't know what we are sitting on here. Johns might prove to be a master stroke by not only our recruiting people but also by the match committee that decided to put him up. We will be giving him one maybe two more solid four quarter performances in the VFL,"" Shaw said.
""Johns was the sixth rookie picked and we wanted to put a years development into him because of his hip injury - where people said he would never play again. He has played again and although we have structured his game time, some of his performances have been quite extraordinary - kicking four goals in a half and taking 10 marks,"" Shaw said.
