Long time between kicks for Kangaroo

THE last time Jordan Roberts played senior football for Clarence, Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off was the No.1 single in Australia, Tony Abbott was Prime Minister and Western Storm was still part of the TSL.

Tomorrow — after 1020 days — the silky midfielder will return to the line-up when the Roos host Devonport at Blundstone Arena.

Since being part of the side that lost to the Storm by two points in the 2014 preliminary final, Roberts has had two knee reconstructions.

But after spending a month in the Mercury Cup building form and confidence, he is ready to resume a career that once had him touted as a potential AFL draft prospect.

“Jordan is a much-loved character around the group, all the boys love him, it will give them a real lift this weekend,” coach Jeromey Webberley said. “In terms of player, we know how damaging offensively he can be. He still has those attributes.

“We are excited to get him back, we just wanted to make sure he was confident that he could come back and play senior footy and have confidence in his body. We think he’ll have a pretty big impact for us.”

Roberts will replace suspended defender Jason Bailey, but Jake Cox will spend another week on the sidelines from his finger tendon injury.

Webberley is still four to six weeks away from returning from a hamstring injury suffered against the Tigers, with the severity much worse than first thought.

Brad Symmons returns for Devonport, which won its first match of the season last weekend.

Lauderdale regains Thor Boscott from suspension for the trip to Windsor Park, while Launceston will be without key forward Nathan O’Donoghue.

Tigers have swung the changes for their clash against Glenorchy, with vice-captain Braden Livingston, assistant coach Marcus Davies and Jack Pearce among seven named inclusions.