ROOS UNHOOKED

CLARENCE BROTHERS SET FOR BLUNDSTONE CLASH

AFTER hanging out the “gone fishing” sign last week, Clarence has regained Bailey brothers Jason and Ryan for its critical TSL clash with Launceston at Blundstone Arena tomorrow.

With skipper Brady Jones out with an ankle injury, midfielder Chris Nield suspended, and injured sharpshooter Trent Standen still two to three weeks away, the return of the Baileys was a boon for the fourth-placed Roos.

The Baileys had a pre-planned fishing trip and missed last Saturday’s loss to North Launceston, but are back to help the Roos land a win against the Blues, who are third on the ladder behind Glenorchy and North Launceston.

“We knew at the end of last year about their trip — they booked it for the bye when the roster was released but the roster got changed twice and we couldn’t work around it,” Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley said.

“It’s disappointing for them to have missed that type of game but we did know a long time in advance.

“They are two massive ins for us. Ryan has stepped back up to TSL footy pretty well and Jason is probably the premier defender in the competition.”

Clarence will also “shuffle” its forward line to get a better return.

“We don’t think we are getting enough out of there in terms of holding the ball in and getting a turnover,” Webberley said. “That is probably to do with our ball use and our options going inside 50, so we will tinker with our forward line and see if we can get a better result.”

Launceston coach Sam Lonergan’s delayed start to the TSL season continues.

“I tore my hammy in one of the practice matches, and then I played half a game in the Development League. My hammy was fantastic but then my quad was sore,” Lonergan said.

“I’ve just had some niggling things off the hammy and basi- cally will play half in the DLeague this week just to make sure the body is back up and going and there are no issues.”

Lonergan does plan to play TSL this season. “Yes, 100 per cent,” he said. “I’d done the whole pre-season, I’m a bit older now so I’ve got to manage myself a bit smarter.”