ROOS LOOK TO LAND KNOCKOUT BLOW ON BLUES
THEY are yet to land the knockout blow on the competition’s powerhouse but Clarence defender Keegan Wylie believes the Roos have what it takes to do so.
The Roos host Launceston on Saturday at Blundstone Arena and will be looking to continue their surge towards the finals with a fifth victory on the trot.
Wylie, a member of the Roos’ leadership group, understands they will have to be at their best to match it with the reigning premiers.
“They’ve been the benchmark over the last two or three seasons and we’re starting to play some really good footy so it’s going to be a good test for us to see if we can match it with them,” Wylie said.
“We’ve really built some strong form over this last little period, especially the wins over Lauderdale and North Launceston.
“So to get the chance to test that against the reigning premiers on our home deck is a great opportunity for our young group. We stuck with them for three quarters up at Windsor and then played some really good footy in patches last time and went down by 17 points so we know our best is good enough. We just need to do it for longer.”
With the exits of a number of the Roos’ first-choice defenders from last season, Wylie has stepped up his game this year, averaging 22.5 disposals and 5.1 marks a game, and most weeks playing on one of the opposition’s most dangerous forwards.
“We lost a few guys from our defensive group last season so I’ve had to step up and play a bigger role but it really helps not carrying injuries throughout the season,” Wylie said.
“I’ve been able to play all but one game this year so to have that constant run at it has been a nice change.
“The back-six has been playing some really strong and consistent footy as a group and we’ll have to be at our best against Launceston because we know how dangerous they are inside 50.”
Tyson Hanslow and Wade Wall will return to the Roos’ lineup while Launceston has brought back key defender Jamieson House in an effort to curtail the influence of Clarence spearhead Colin Garland, fresh off the back of 10 goals against North
Hobart last week. The Tigers will also be looking to lock up their place inside the top four when they clash with Glenorchy at KGV but will have to do so without stars Kieran Lovell and Jack Tomkinson.
The pair have been ruled out with injury, alongside tall forward Connor Salter.
But Tigers coach Trent Baumeler is hopeful the pair will return before the finals.
Glenorchy will welcome back a host of players for the clash, with veteran Richard Dilger headlining the inclusions.