ROOS RELISHING TILT AT TABLE TOP
CLARENCE forward Chris Nield says the in-form Roos are champing at the bit to test their mettle against the TSL’s No. 1 team, North Launceston, in their top of the ladder meeting at Blundstone Arena this Saturday.
The Roos are on a hot streak after winning their past four games, including an impressive win on the road against Launceston at Windsor Park last Saturday.
Nield kicked five goals in the 41-point thumping, taking his tally to nine goals in the past two weeks.
The 24-year-old carpenter says Clarence’s date with North Launceston, which beat the Roos in Round 4, will give the Roos a measure of their progress.
“They got away by 14 points last time we played, so it will be nice to see how we go now,” Nield said.
“It’s first and second on the ladder, so it’s the biggest game of the year and it will put into perspective how well we are travelling.”
Nield said it was “hard to say” if the Roos had improved since then. “There have been different players coming in and out of the side, and our game style has had more time to develop,” he said.
“Saturday was our fourth win in a row.
“We’re definitely getting a lot of confidence in the group.
“We’re putting what we have learned at training into game day, and it’s good to see our structures and what we have learned working well for us.”
The former TSL Tiger is thriving in red and white after making the switch to Clarence this season.
He earned two votes in the TSL Player of the Year Award while top votes went to teammate Jake Cox.
“I haven’t kicked that many in a while, especially at the Tigers — we didn’t get that many forward entries,” Nield said. “I put four years into the Tigers so it’s hard to make the switch. There comes a time to look for a bit more success, but making the moving is definitely starting to pay off.
“I’ve nearly got more wins now than in four years at the Tigers, so it’s nice to get the reward.”
The team may be different but Nield is still a go-to forward with cameos on the ball.
“My role hasn’t changed too much,” he said.
“I’ve always been a forward at the Tigers and had some stints through the middle, and it’s pretty much the same at Clarence.
“It’s a lot different at a club that moves the ball completely differently, and I get a lot more of it in the forward 50, so there’s more chance to make an impact.”