On Saturday the Tigers did exactly that when calling upon reserve RMS AFL Townsville full-forward Joshua Bourne for the second week in a row.
While he failed to make an immediate impact when first promoted against Curra, his six-goal bag against University sealed a hard-fought 15.8 (98) to 8.15 (63) win by the undermanned yellow-and-black.
The secret wasn't in the untapped talent of Bourne, but in how to service it.
"We had to change our structure to get him the football closer to goal where he likes it," coach Barry Gibson said. "He took a few great marks for us and really impressed."
Reinventing Tigers football was the least of Saturday's gambles with Gibson naming a team of 21, deciding to play senior and reserve grade games a man down to give both outfits the best chance of success in a tough situation.
He hit the jackpot when two Tiger cubs promoted out of necessity, Jarrod Cavalot and Jay Allen, impressed in their first top-flight appearance. And they weren't just making up numbers, with winger Cavalot and fellow 16-year-old O'Donnell - in just his third senior game - slotting decisive late goals.
It was a combination of youthful bravado and a protective detail headed by captain Andrew Grubba, Lyle Clifford and John Brazendale, in his first game back in more than a month, to open the game up for the teenagers to flourish.
"We had a few big bodies in the middle, getting to the football first to fill those young guys with confidence to put their head over the ball," Gibson said.
HERMIT PARK 5.3 7.5 10.7 15.8 (98)UNIVERSITY 1.1 5.5 5.10 8.15 (63)
and tagged with AFL, Hermit Park, Hawks, Success
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