Belief builds as Clarence eyes Demons

RED-HOT Clarence hopes its strong run of form continues when it hosts injury-depleted North Hobart at Blundstone Arena on Saturday.

The Roos have had strong wins against fellow top-four hopefuls Lauderdale and North Launceston in consecutive weeks and will return to their home deck two games clear in third place. The 39point win over the Northern Bombers last weekend saw the Roos go undefeated against the State League powerhouse in the regular season for the first time since 2014.

“It was a really important win for our young group,” said Clarence coach Peter Ryan.

“It’s been some time since Clarence hasn’t lost to North Launceston in the regular season so from that aspect it was really big for the belief of the group to know their best is good enough.

“With our strongest team on the park we think we’ve got the list that can compete with anyone in the competition.”

Ryan, who is still unsigned for next season, has proven pre-season doubters wrong in his first year at the helm after many predicted a slide down the ladder following the exits of several experienced heads at the end of last season.

“Coming into the year there were a lot of unknowns about Clarence but to the players’ credit they’ve really jumped on board and bought in to the game plan,” Ryan said. “Belief is built through evidence and that’s something we’ve been building all year. The growth in the playing group has been exceptional but we know there’s still work to do.”

The Demons will be without experienced Hugh Williams jnr (broken jaw), Sam Caswell (shoulder) and Dom White (hamstring) but Ryan understands Saturday’s clash will be no walk in the park.