Surging Roos can win the flag, says Jones

CLARENCE skipper Brady Jones has no doubt the Roos can win this year’s State League, but he still believes North Launceston is the team to catch.

This is despite the red-hot Roos knocking off the reigning premier in thrilling fashion on Saturday after kicking the last five goals of the match to overturn a 25-point gap late in the third term.

Clarence has now strung together a six-match streak, including consecutive victories over Launceston and the Bombers in the past fortnight.

And although belief within the playing group is high, Jones won’t entertain any thought of the team being the flag favourite despite its impressive form.

“Absolutely, and that’s what we are here for,” Jones said when asked if the Roos could win their first piece of silverware since 2010.

“To shy away from that is probably silly, there is no point wasting your time if you are not here to win the flag.

“It is going to be a tough last month to the year but we absolutely believe we have got what it takes.

“North Launny’s last six years in the comp, they are definitely the team to beat. What have they won, three flags? We will continue to chase and build to catch them at the end of the year.”

Clarence has not won a final in five years — since defeating Lauderdale in the 2013 elimination final — and has been bounced out in straight sets in its past two finals series in 2014 and 2017.

But with a complete buy-in from the entire list, Jones is confident the Roos can be a force when it matters most.

“It comes back to ‘Jez’ [coach Jeromey Webberley] and the coaching group’s preparation,” he said. “That’s where we have taken the next step . . . and then the buy-in from everyone.

“We have had something like 13 guys play their first game of senior footy at TSL level and to be in the position we are with that many debutants is very pleasing.”

Jones’s teammate Ryan Bailey remains on top of the player of the year leaderboard after polling one vote in the win against North Launceston, with Glenorchy defender Daniel Joseph jumping into second after earning two votes in the Pies’ thumping of North Hobart. LAUDERDALE midfield star Phil Bellchambers will miss this weekend’s clash with North Hobart through suspension.

Bellchambers was reported for striking Tiger Matt Coad and banned for two games, reduced to one with an early guilty plea, which he accepted.