Roos’ plan to defeat rivals
AFTER its crucial win over Lauderdale on the weekend Clarence says it is building belief it can compete with the TSL’s best as it prepares to head up the Midlands on Saturday to take on the Northern Bombers in another important ladder-shaping match.
With their impressive 19point win over their Eastern Shore rival the Roos broke a game clear from both the Southern and Northern Bombers into outright third spot on the TSL ladder and will now get a chance to cement their standing against the fifthplaced North Launceston at UTas Stadium.
Undersized Clarence ruckman Sam Green, who starred on Saturday with 21 disposals, 21 hit-outs and nine tackles, said Saturday’s win over Lauderdale had given his side confidence its style of play stacked up with the best.
“It showed us if we move the ball how we want it definitely gets the job done,” Green said.
“Knowing the calibre of Lauderdale we couldn’t go in lightly and knew we had to match them at the start and then in the second half we really upped our pressure which allowed us to break the game open.
“It was a really important win for us.”
The 21-year-old, who is averaging 20 disposals, five marks, four clearances and five score involvements per game, said attention had quickly turned to the Northern Bombers who the Roos planned to run off their feet.
“This week’s game is extremely important as the win would hopefully get us a home final if all goes well.
“North Launceston have been one of the strongest teams in the comp as we all know for years and we are really looking forward to going up there on the big deck and using our leg speed and trying to break the game open.
“But we need to really be on from the start and make sure our pressure is immense because we can’t allow players like Ben Simpson and Brad Cox-Goodyer to get their hands on the footy early and use it cleanly.
“If we can keep it low scoring at the start of the game and then try and run over the top of them at the end of the game we should do quite well.”
Green will be hoping teammate Baxter Norton (inset) can continue his hot form on Saturday after the young midfielder polled two votes in the TSL Player of the Year award for the second consecutive week to catapult himself into fifth place.
Sam Siggins continues to lead the race after the star Bomber was awarded one vote for his 34 possessions, 20 hit outs and 13 clearances in Lauderdale’s loss.
Meanwhile midfield duo Jobi Harper and Kieran Lovell continue to keep the race interesting with the Blues and Tigers stars receiving three votes for their big games.