Turvey to play long game with returning Carroll to play in reserves

Carroll, a Bulldogs junior and former first grade coach, had his clearance from Farrer League club Marrar approved this week, but looks set to play for Turvey Park's all-conquering reserve grade side this week.

He will be joined in their unbeaten reserves side by younger brother Myles, providing his clearance from East Wagga Kooringal is approved in time.

Carroll's aggressive approach to his football will be a welcome addition to the Bulldogs, who are 2-3 and looking to build on last week's comfortable win over Leeton-Whitton.

They are yet to win away from Maher Oval this season, and the Goannas at home is arguably the toughest challenge in the Riverina League right now.

But Mazzocchi said the players who performed well in the 65-point belting of the Crows deserved to keep their spots.

"Myles will definitely play second grade this week if the clearance comes through," Mazzocchi said.

"Truman did 50 per cent of our pre season and has trained for our weeks with us. He's been around the group for a while, but I'd nearly say I'm 90 per cent sure that he won't be selected in first grade this week.

"We're building a culture where we want to see the guys do the work before they're rewarded with first grade spots. We all know Truman is probably in our best side, but that's the culture we want to build.

"The guys who played last week all played really well. We'd find it hard to drop someone who had a positive input last week.

"On the back of that Truman will play seconds this week, and once he plays good footy he puts pressure on for spots then."

Mazzocchi said he expects defender Matt Ness to be available after he shifted to Wagga from Melbourne before Victoria entered a full lockdown for at least a week on Thursday.

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"He's back working from home from his parent's house," Mazzocchi said.

"He came back once all the (COVID) cases started again. We'll just be governed by whatever the rules are, but at this stage he's back in NSW and we're right to go with him."

Luke Fellows will also be available for Turvey Park after the GWS Giants Academy's clash with Murray Bushrangers was postponed due to the lockdown, while forward Brad Ashcroft is a big chance to return from a back issue.

Defender Rhett Weidemann will miss the match through suspension after accepting a one-match ban for striking Leeton-Whitton's Tyron Rainbird in the second quarter of last week's win.

It's an untimely blow, given Weidemann could have been an option to match up on Goannas goal machine Trent Castles, who has kicked 32 in just four games this year.

Mazzocchi said they will focus on applying midfield pressure to ensure Castles doesn't enjoy clean supply.

The Goannas will be missing Max and Zac Hanrahan, Nick Collins and Christian Palombi, but will welcome back Harry Collins, Sam De Sousa, Dom Bunyan and Brayden Ambler.

MCUE is looking for a sixth straight win to begin their campaign.

"I haven't seen them play, but we see Turvey as a legitimate challenge," coach Jeremy Rowe said.

"They're a little bit slow out of the blocks to a degree, but in 2019 we were 1-4 and in a similar position, but followed that with a strong month of footy once we tied things together.

"If you look at their team, their midfield is as good as anyone's really. Anyone who has Ash Harris, Stephen Camp and then guys like (Josh) Ashcroft, (Tom) Yates going through there and some young talent like Billy Glanvill (is well placed).

"Their engine room is as good as anyone's and things can happen around that."

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