Cox a welcome addition for Roos
While they may be set to welcome back a player regarded by many as one of the TSL’s most exciting forwards, Clarence will be without two of their premier midfielders for Saturday’s clash against Kingborough.
The Roos are fresh off a 58point win over Launceston last week and will be bolstered by the inclusion of Jake Cox for his first TSL game since 2019 following stints at both University and St Virgils in the Old Scholars.
After completing a solid block of training in the lead-up to Saturday, Clarence coach Peter Ryan said he was excited at the prospect of bringing Cox into the side but understood it may take him a few games to readjust to the rigours of state league football.
“We just expect him to lead through his actions,” he said. “He hasn’t played TSL for over two years so there is some leeway there for him but we just want him to go out there, play his role and bring other players into the game. He is elite by foot and has really good goal sense so hopefully he can hit the scoreboard for us.”
But while Cox will suit up against the Tigers, both Baxter Norton and Mitch Rainbird will miss through injury although Ryan is confident neither would be long term.
“Baxter had a stinger in his shoulder so he will miss. If it was a final he would play and Mitch has a groin issue which he did at home,” Ryan said.
Both Clarence and Kingborough will head into the game undefeated, with Ryan confident his midfield can compete against the TSL’s best without two first-choice players.
“They just have to step up,” he said.
“It is a good test for the four or five players we put in the (midfield).”
13 (13) Ethan Brock (HL) 12 (6) Joseph Direen (Cyg) 11 (11) Callen Daly (HL) 9 (9) Michael Paul (HL) 8 (2) Jacob Sawford (Sor) 8 (2) Max Lamb (Bri) 10 (10) Jamie Stanway (HL) 7 (0) Brodie Cockshutt (Bri) 5 (0) Christopher Harris (Sor) 4 (1) Liam Taylor (Cyg)
4 (3) Blake Bonnitcha (DF) 4 (4) Rhys Douglas (HL) 6 (1) Riley Thorp McCulloch (HL)
5 (2) Alfie Cullen (HL) 4 (4) Archer Gill (SS) 3 (1) Tyler Woolley (HL) 3 (1) Brayden Shaw (HL) 3 (3) Seth Denny (SS) 4 (0) Josephine Rose (King) 3 (0) Grace White (NH)
3 (2) Jacinta Limbrick (Cla) 2 (0) Meg Phillips (NH)
2 (0) Georgie Bailey (KIng) 2 (0) Chontelle Eggers (King) 11 (7) Natalie Daniels (Cmt) 6 (3) Tiarna Ford (NN)
6 (4) Ellie Henricks (Bri)
5 (3) Gemma Leitch (Cmt) 5 (2) Natalie Smedley (Cmt) 5 (1) Holly Ryan (StV)