FIRED-UP FOES TO TANGLE

IT is official – Saturday’s Clarence-North Hobart clash is a grudge match.

The Roos recruited four former Demons during the off-season in Baxter Norton, Jake Steele, former AFL Demon Colin Garland and Ole Angerstein.

Demons coach Clinton French — who will make his North Hobart playing debut against the Roos — said it was not the departure that cut

deep, but how went about it.

French said he saw the clash as a grudge match but it was being driven by the playing group, not the coaching staff.

“I don’t think I really need to talk about it,” French said.

“They (the North Hobart players) are aware of the players that have left us and the way they went about it, so we’ll be right.”

Reporter: “Do you think it will be fiery?” the players

French: “Yeah.” Reporter: “Are it?”

French: “I don’t need to, the boys have got their own feelings. Our message is still win the ball, but if you have the chance to obviously nail a good tackle against those guys you let them know.”

However, only two of the former Dees will be in action. Steele has been named in the Development League and Garland is still injured.

Clarence counterpart Jeromey you encouraging

Webberley said he was prepared for what was to come at Blundstone Arena.

“I’ve no doubt that I’d be expecting a pretty fierce contest from them, especially early on,” Webberley said.

“We should have that back the other way because Angus Baxter and Jake Steele and Colin Garland and Ole … they are Clarence players now, so we need to make sure we represent those guys as well as the individuals. I’d be very disappointed if our group didn’t go back just as hard as they are going to come at us.”

Meanwhile, Lauderdale has received a huge boost for its daunting trip north to take on Launceston at Windsor Park with former Brisbane Lion Allen Christensen returning.

Christensen injured a hamstring in just his second game for the Bombers that initially thought would keep him sidelined for up to 10 weeks, but he’s missed just the three games.