Print this pageAdelaide defender Kris Massie has joined his Crows team-mate Brent Reilly in choosing not to play in this year's SANFL finals series. Reliable Massie - who has toiled manfully in the Crows' defence this season - would have been a huge boost for Norwood in Sunday's elimination final against Port at Adelaide Oval.
But the 28-year-old veteran told Redlegs coach Trevor Hill he was "spent" after a taxing AFL season, a decision with which Hill and his match committee are comfortable.
"I really respect Mass and certainly the decision wasn't made lightly," Hill said. "It sounded like he agonised over it really because he knows people would love him to play.
"He was apologetic because he has really embraced the Norwood Footy Club as his second home but he felt he couldn't give 100 per cent, mentally more than anything.
"And he was really concerned about someone who has played most of the year missing out, which is commendable. So we both said because of those two factors we thought it would be best to go with the guys who have been there most of the year."
Crows-listed Redleg Bryce Campbell (ankle) is in doubt for the 12.10pm clash but Aaron Kite (shoulder) should be fit to play.
"Kitey should be no problem but Bryce, he was pretty sore straight after the game, so we'll see how it goes after the next few days," Hill said.
Full back Brett Zorzi (knee) should be recalled to Norwood's last line of defence while Ben Speight (ankle), Nick Duigan (hamstring), Nick Jackman (back) and Matt Davis (ankle) come into the selection mix.
"I've told the group we're not going with half-injured players or anything like that," Hill said. "If they're in doubt, they have to train really hard and have two really good training sessions before the game."
Courtesy of The Advertiser
Story by Zac Milbank