Webberley’s Roo-ality check

CLARENCE coach Jeromey Webberley is demanding a response from his players, after declaring the Roos “didn’t handle the pressure” in last week’s loss to the Tigers.

Heading into the TSL clash at Richmond having thumped Glenorchy and pushed powerhouse North Launceston, Clarence was mauled for three quarters by the previously winless Tigers.

Webberley knows it was a golden opportunity missed to create some separation from the bottom of the ladder, with the club now finding itself in a logjam as it braces for the toughest test in the competition.

As the Roos prepared to head to Windsor Park for a showdown with undefeated Launceston, none of the playing group was spared from a scathing review of the limp last-start effort.

“There is no hiding from the fact we didn’t play well,” Webberley said. “Full credit to the Tigers, they came out and hunted us like the season was on the line, like it probably was for them.

“We just didn’t handle the pressure and didn’t respond.

“Really disappointing because we had had a couple of really positive weeks leading into that game. Probably thought we got a little bit ahead of ourselves as a whole group. Including myself, I didn’t think some of our individual performances were up to standard, we need to bounce back this week.

“It is about a response, making sure we get some respect back in our club.

“I thought we had a really good opportunity last week to get a win over the Tigers, our second at Richmond and get us into the four at 2-2 and get a bit of separation. Now we are back in the pack.”

The final margin of 15 points flattered the hosts, who trailed by eight goals at the final change before a late rally added some respectability to the scoreboard. Webberley hopes to carry the momentum from the fourth quarter into Round 6.

“The positive was some guys had a really disappointing first half but got their game up and going in the second,” he said. “That wouldn’t have happened last year, and as a whole the team responded well.

“I don’t know if that was the Tigers taking their foot off the gas, or did Clarence come home better? I’m not sure … it was probably a mixture of both.

“But coaches always say you learn a lot from losses and that was one we reviewed pretty hard.”