Northern Bullants coach Rohan Welsh to miss first round of VFL season with a severe foot infection

In his absence, Ants assistant Rocky Iannello will take charge of the team for Saturday night’s season-starter against Footscray Bulldogs, a match to be televised by the Seven Network from Whitten Oval.

Welsh has been on the sick list for four weeks.

He was on crutches at the VFL standalone clubs practice-match carnival at Mars Stadium in Ballarat on March 1 and entered hospital soon after.

The former Carlton forward has undergone two operations to clear infection in the joint and the bone and is recovering at The Avenue Hospital in Windsor.

He’s hopeful of being released in the next few days.

Bullants GM Darren Bassett said it had been a tough time for Welsh.

“Obviously are thoughts are with him. We’re wishing him a speedy recovery,’’ he said.

“It’s been a real challenge for him and frustrating too in terms of not being involved heading into Round 1.’’

Iannello will coach the Bullants against the Bulldogs, supported by the other assistants.

He has coached at a number of clubs in the Essendon District league and VAFA, from senior level to Under 18s.

“He’s very experienced … the positive with Rocky is that it’s his second year at the club, the same as ‘Woosher’, so he knows the players and the system and has great relationships,’’ Bassett said.

Nine players will have their first games for the Bullants on Saturday night, including surprise package Christopher Scerri, who played for the Strathmore Under 18s last year.

“He’s lightning-quick,’’ Bassett said.

“He’s come in under the radar. When I first looked at him I doubted he’d make the list.

“But as the pre-season got more competitive he got better. He’s got that speed, he can play multiple positions and he’s a real competitor … he tackles and runs guys down.’’

Will Madden, Riley Greene, Jackson Weidemann, Yuyu Ashwin, Kaden Schreiber, Liam Coghlan, Liam Taylor and Giorgio Varagiannis will also have their first starts for the club.

All bar Taylor, who was recruited from North Ringwood, have played at other VFL clubs: Madden was at Essendon, Greene at Brisbane, Ashwin and Schreiber at Collingwood, Coghlan at Box Hill Hawks and Port Melbourne, and Varagiannis at GWS.

“We’ve improved our list, I’m very confident of that, and I think we can improve our performance,’’ Iannello said of the Bullants, who were 2-16 last year.

Liam Mackie will again captain the Bullants, with ace midfielders Patrick Fairlie and Jean-Luc Velissaris the vice-captains.

Josh Hamilton and Weidemann have been named as “emerging leaders’’.