Loyal Broadbeach utility Ben Walters plays his 150th game for the Cats at their Merrimac Oval home tomorrow – and he doesn’t want any surprises, reports The Courier-Mail.
Friday 18 June 2010
Loyal Broadbeach utility Ben Walters plays his 150th game for the Cats at their Merrimac Oval home tomorrow – and he doesn’t want any surprises, reports The Courier-Mail.
The Cats take on the winless Western Magpies, who are looking to play party-poopers.
“It is a danger game,” admitted the affable tall utility, who is desperate for his club to return to finals action after three barren years. “We need to win five of our last nine games to hopefully sneak in.”
While Walters is confident the young Cats outfit will keep improving through the second half of the year, they will make their charge at the top five without in-form centre-half-back Darin Stewart, who has a serious shoulder injury.
Jackson Emblem is set to hold down the key defensive post in Stewart’s absence, leaving Walters to pinch-hit in the ruck and rotate through the key forward positions.
“The only position I haven’t played is rover and I always gee-up ‘Smithy’ (coach Adrian Smith) to name me there,” Walters grinned. “Each time he says he will put me in the ruck, because that’s close to rover!”
Broadbeach have never played in a State League grand final and while Walters has enjoyed a five-goal haul and taken some big marks in Cats games at the Gabba over the years, his career highlights are more about his teammates.
“I have got friends all over Australia and the world from people that I have met at Broady – that is the best thing and what has kept me here,” he said.
Morningside’s character will be tested to the limit with State star Paul Shelton flying to Rome last Sunday for a month-long holiday, leaving the Panthers vulnerable in their showdown for second spot with Labrador at Esplen Oval on Sunday.
The Panthers, who will wear all-pink in support of breast cancer awareness, have also lost key defender Brett Connell.
Mt Gravatt are set to get important forward Shane Morrison back for tomorrow’s clash with the NT Thunder at Dittmer Park, the Lions Reserves are down on listed players for their Giffin Park clash with heavyweights Southport, and Redland face a danger game at Aspley’s Graham Road.
