Conway set to be unleashed by Bulls

Mt Barker will unveil prize recruit Leigh Conway this Saturday as the Bulls look to rebound with a strong performance against Railways at Sounness Park.

The Bulls were embarrassed by Royals in the opening round, suffering their heaviest defeat since 2015 and coach Brad Hook has called on his charges to respond immediately and avoid a 0-2 start to the season.

With minimal player losses from their preliminary final exit last year and the additions of star forward Jesse Wynne, former WAFL player Conway and David Stone, there is plenty of belief the Bulls can contend in 2019.

However, Hook said their opening round 1 performance was a stinker and back on their home deck they needed to be ready for a Tigers outfit also coming off a loss to start the new Great Southern Football League campaign.

“The boys are a little ashamed of their performance,” Hook said.

“There is a bit of fire in the belly — it’s our first home game and we need to turn up to play.

“All we know is in the past Railways are hard at the contest and a physical side.

“We want to get back to playing the way we want to play.”

Hook confirmed Conway would make his Bulls debut — one of at least three changes.

Jared Ismail and James Farmer are sore and will not play against the Tigers while Clayton Wood is another missing this week.

Bulls forward Kym Monteath will miss the early part of the season with other commitments.

Another concern for Hook is the availability of young gun Joel Gray, who shot to prominence last season. Gray has a knee injury that may require surgery. “Joel is more likely to be a halfway-through-the-season prospect,” Hook said.

“He needs day surgery. There is a bit of torn cartilage that flares up when he runs.”

In other round 2 fixtures, North Albany host Denmark-Walpole on Saturday and opening-round winners the Lions and Albany face off in a Centennial Stadium derby on Sunday.