Numbers add up for skippers
TWO CTPL captains will chalk up milestone matches at KGV today — now all they need is for the weather to hold.
Clarence’s Harry Allanby plays his 150th match for the Roos, while opposing captain Nathan Matthews will feature in his 200th for Glenorchy.
The pair have been true stalwarts for their respective clubs, and have experienced the highs and lows across their careers with 10 grand finals and six premierships between them.
All-rounder Matthews, 31, was lured out of a two-year retirement by new coach Michael Knight and while his body might not be agreeing with the decision, he is loving leading the club’s next wave of youngsters as they look to put a couple of tough seasons behind them.
“I wanted to come back and help those next generation of players to take the club forward, that was the idea behind it,” Matthews said.
“I have been a captain sparingly in the past with the odd game filling in but I am really enjoying that part of it ... the body not so much.
“The milestone has crept up a bit but it’s a great honour to play that many for the Pies. I can’t speak highly enough of the club for what they have done for me, I love the place and that’s why I have come back to help out where I can.”
At just 24 Allanby has already been in the leadership position at Clarence for several seasons, and like Matthews was unaware he was so close to a personal achievement.
“It snuck up on me a bit ... I had no idea it was the 150th.
“But it is nice to tick it off though, especially with the one club, it is a great club to be part of and to play 150 games there, I’m not sure there are too many who have done it for the Roos so it is pretty special.”
The 50-over clash is an important one for both sides, which defied last weekend’s wet weather to snare vital victories. Glenorchy (second) is one of three sides on 20 points at the top of the ladder, while Clarence is fifth, two points adrift.
Other matches today see New Town host Lindisfarne, South Hobart-Sandy Bay and North Hobart meet at Queenborough while University is at home to Kingborough.