Clarence embraces northern challenge
A VICTORY against one of the two northern TSL clubs isn’t required to validate Clarence as a genuine premiership contender, according to coach Jeromey Webberley.
However Webberley is still searching for a way to unlock Launceston’s recent dominance of his side. The Roos’ only two defeats in 2018 have come against North Launceston and the Blues, with the latter also sending last year’s minor premiers packing from the finals in straight sets.
It points to a huge clash between the two at Windsor Park this afternoon.
“Pretty hard challenge, our last two encounters — the final last year and then the first clash this year at Blundstone — didn’t go to plan against Launceston,” Webberley said.
“They have probably had our measure the last two games, we need to rectify that this week.
“We had a good encounter with North Launceston [in Round 4] and played some good footy and could have nearly stolen it late.
“Some of the things we did that day really worked. Launceston was a bit difficult, they probably controlled the game for 90 per cent, we had 10 per cent in the last quarter where we got the game on our terms. We had the chance to put some scoreboard pressure on but unfortunately kicked behinds. We’ll tinker with a couple of things we didn’t try last time and see what happens.”
Helping Clarence’s cause will be the return of captain Brady Jones, who has finally reached full fitness following ankle surgery.
Webberley also pointed to the ruck battle between Ryan Bailey and Blue Hamish Leedham as key to the outcome.
Bailey has jumped to the top of the Player of the Year leaderboard on the back of two best-afield performances in his past three games.
“He is getting a bit of hype, isn’t he?” Webberley said of Bailey. “He has been fantastic so far this year, not just his ruck work and tap work at centre bounces and around the ground but his marking ability, he can hit the scoreboard as well,” Webberley said. “He is pretty mobile for a tall. I think [against] Hamish, it was a pretty even battle last time, maybe Hamish just got the better of him so I expect Ryan to bounce back this time around.”