Dynamite Cox primed for a solo masterclass

CLARENCE gun Jake Cox has been threatening to “explode” in a TSL match for the past few weeks and the Roos believe the qualifying final against Lauderdale at Blundstone Arena today could be the day he lights the fuse.

Cox has kicked eight goals in two games against Lauderdale this year — six in Round 3 and two in Round 20 — and is building towards another solo masterclass.

Despite limping off in the dying stages of last week’s final round loss to Glenorchy at KGV, Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley said Cox was ready to go.

“He’s looking fantastic,” Webberley said.

“For the past couple of weeks he’s been on the verge of tearing a game apart. He was close on the weekend — it didn’t quite click for him, so hopefully it will this weekend.”

A bumper turnout is expected to the triple treat at Blundstone today — a Mercury Cup qualifying final between Clarence and Tigers, starting at 10.30am, followed by back-toback TSL finals.

Clarence has beaten Lauderdale all three times this season, but the last time two weeks ago they were separated by a single point.

“It will be a fierce contest,” Webberley said. “The boys are really excited and I’ve got no doubt the Lauderdale players would be too. It’s going to be a really good game. I think the whole concept for the day is fantastic.

“Both teams are extremely even. Neither team is blessed with great height but both teams are quite even, both have quality midfielders and good smalls across all areas of the ground.

“There’s not much between the two sides at all.”

Fans won’t know if Roo defender Keegan Wylie — heavily concussed at KGV last Saturday — will play until Clarence runs on to the field.

“If he’s not right he won’t play,” Webberley said.

Lauderdale coach Darren Winter will be in charge of the opposition today while his former Clarence teammates celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 1997 Statewide League premiership.

“That era means a great deal to me,” Winter said. “I spent 14 years there and coached pretty much every level at the club so I’ve got a lot of history there.

“I have a lot of good friends there and when I go back and see the people I had a lot to do with it’s a very special moment for me. It was a proud part of my football career.”

The Lauderdale-Clarence rivalry is special in itself.

“The players just love playing against each other and the funny thing is, most of them are close mates,” Winter said.

“That adds to the rivalry. They don’t want to be beaten by their mates. It’s a really good thing to be involved in.

“You don’t often get these rivalries that are bitter and sometimes passionate that you can be a part of.

“When I was playing for Clarence we had one against North Launceston where we absolutely hated each other and they were great games to be part of. This is on par with that and they’re good fun.”