Glenorchy coach gives ‘giants’ tag short shrift

GLENORCHY may have been dubbed the sleeping giant of the TSL one week out from the finals, but Magpies coach Aaron Cornelius says his side does not deserve the tag.

Opposition teams fear the TSL’s reigning premier and what it could produce come the business end of the season, which kicks off with a historic TSL elimination-qualifying final double-header at Blundstone Arena next Saturday.

As Glenorchy prepares for its last home-and-away game against arch-rival Clarence at KGV today, which includes a reunion for the 2007 Glenorchy premiership team, Cornelius feels the Pies have not earned the glowing assessment.

“The way we’ve played our footy this year, at times we really haven’t deserved that tag,” Cornelius said. “We need to get our systems right and play a smart competitive brand of footy, so I don’t think we have warranted that assessment this year.”

Cornelius played in the 2007 flag, along with Jaye Bowden, who is the only member of the premiership combination still playing for the Pies.

Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley believes Glenorchy is capable of anything.

“I think everyone has got to be wary of Glenorchy,” Webberley said.

“They haven’t had their whole list for the entire year. They are not going to have it this week.

“But if you look at their best 22 and their top 15, I think it’s just about the best in the competition.

“They are going to be a serious contender.

“If they get through their first final and get some players back, they are going to be really hard to beat.”

Webberley said the Blundstone double-header was a solid innovation, and he also liked the 4.30pm grand final time slot.

“I really like it. We have to change something in Tassie footy,” he said.

“The grand finals for the past couple of years have gotten OK crowds.

“But I reckon the twilight grand final is a good idea and I reckon we will get a really good crowd to the doubleheader next week.”

Ladder leader North Launceston’s premiership campaign is almost complete, with only Launceston standing in the way at Windsor Park today from 2pm.