Magpies ‘pointing in right direction’, look for cheer in big day for club

IF ever there was a reason for Glenorchy supporters to get along and cheer as hard as ever for the boys in black and white it’s at KGV on Saturday – and here’s why.

On a day when the century-old club celebrates four grand finals from the 1980s and 1990s, the Pies go up against their mortal enemy Clarence, now coached by a man who played in one of those premierships.

As a Glenorchy premiership player in 1999, Peter Ryan does not expect to be shouted any beers after the game as he coaches his former club’s traditional rival on a milestone day. “It’s a big day for their footy club,” Ryan said. “And talking to a few of the past players they spoke about forming a guard of honour for the [Glenorchy] team and I said, ‘it’d be handy if I go and line up with you in my Clarence gear’.

“I don’t think that went down too well with a few of them. As a past player, it’s tough to see where they are at right now but I know they’ve got some good people in the right places.

“Their coach Aaron Cornelius is leading from the front and I hope he signs on again and sticks around to give the club stability.

“They are pointing in the right direction. They’ve just got to get a few things right.”

The return of experienced Magpies John Geard, who played his 150th game two weeks ago, and ruckman Cam Duffy boosts Glenorchy’s chances of throwing down the gauntlet to the Roos after a 229-point loss to Launceston last week.

“We just want to see some good effort from the boys,” said assistant coach Anthony Cowley.

Cornelius is on a visit to his wife’s parents in America, so former premiership player and coach Ben Beams will make a guest appearance in the box to oversee a combined effort by the Glenorchy coaches.