Football manager Dominic Cato admitted how stiff Richards was to be dropped, but said unfortunately for him he is competing against senior players for a key position. ""Ted has been in good form for us and done everything asked of him from the coaches. His omission came down to a question of team balance not form,"" Cato said.
""With Hirdy and Scott (Lucas) returning to the side, we are limited to where we can play Ted. We can’t afford to go into the match too top heavy. Jason Laycock was given an opportunity this week, because the match committee felt they could not risk going into the game with only one ruckman,"" he said.
""Ted is very professional in his approach and I am sure he will provide significant leadership with Bendigo and always keep himself in the mix for senior selection.
Richards will strengthen the Bendigo line-up on Saturday when they take on Geelong at Skilled Stadium on Saturday at 1.10pm. Bendigo returned to the winner’s list last week with a 49-point win over Frankston. Bendigo coach Peter Banfield is still confident his team can make the finals despite currently sitting in ninth position.
""Last week against Frankston was really a game that we needed to win given we are four weeks from the end of the season and we needed to stay in touch with the top eight. I was rapt in the way the players went out and played, it was a tremendous performance and we have kept our finals hopes alive,"" Banfield said.
Bendigo team:
B: Rosa, Campbell, Bowen
HB: Doering, Hunt, Nash
C: Walsh, Bullen, Winderlich
HF: Wilson, Richards, Watson
F: Dyson, Cosgriff, Lovett
R: Bradley, Mercuri, Carter
Int from: Summers, Davies, Hawkins, Webster, Atkinson, Moorcroft, Sellers, Loughman
Ted Richards will be the guest player on Bomber Radio this Sunday night. Tune in to Sport 927 from 8pm - 9pm this Sunday night.
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