Tom Williams and Jarrod Harbrow will line up for the LeasePlan Western Bulldogs for the first time this Friday night against Richmond at the MCG.
The LeasePlan Western Bulldogs will give Tom Williams and Jarrod Harbrow their AFL debuts on Friday night against Richmond at the MCG.Williams, 20, is in his third year with the Bulldogs after being selected with pick six in the 2004 NAB AFL Draft. He has had to overcome injury problems to reach senior level, having broken his ankle three times since joining the club, but has shown good form this year with Werribee in the VFL.Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade said Williams was keen for a senior start earlier in the season, but the club was determined to take the right approach.“The surgeon said he was ready in February, but we wanted to give him a proper pre-season,” Eade said. “He ended up playing a few practice matches at Werribee and he has played very well there in the last couple of weeks.”Eade said confidence is likely to be the main barrier for Williams at the MCG on Friday night, but he hopes he can overcome that hurdle and play to his true ability.“He is not going to play a full game, but hopefully he can grab his opportunity and stay in the team.”The club elevated 18-year-old Harbrow from the rookie list following Chris Grant's long-term groin injury. The Mooroopna teenager has been impressive since arriving at the club late last year via the rookie draft and was a standout in the Club’ first NAB Cup match against Sydney.“Jarrad’s form was terrific last week when he played for Werribee,” Eade said. “He had a very good pre-season and did well in the NAB Cup so he obviously has had a bit of a taste of senior footy.”Harbrow has quickly been dubbed ‘Kostya’ by his teammates, thanks to his Kostya Tszyu-style haircut.He said Eade caught him unawares with the news he had been selected.“I was actually up in the players’ meeting room having a sleep,” Harbrow said.“He played a joke on me and said that I had got in trouble with another player. I was freaking out, thinking, ‘What have I done?’ but then he put his hand out and said, ‘Well done, mate’.”Ruckman Peter Street and possibly Sam Power will make way for the two newcomers.
Tom Williams, Morningside QLD Height: 196cm Weight: 98kg DOB: 17 July 1986
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