Green’s return a godsend for Roos

CLARENCE has doubled its AFL experience for the TSL preliminary final against Launceston at Windsor Park on Sunday with the return from injury of former Brisbane and Essendon forward Josh Green.

Green, 29, missed the Roos’ semi-final win over the Tigers at Blundstone on Sunday when a hamstring niggle convinced coach Jeromey Webberley not to risk his star.

Green is back, but dynamic back-pocket James Holmes appears to have been sidelined by a stroke of bad luck.

“James is a warrior. One of my favourite players,” Webberley said.

“He hurt his elbow pretty bad against Launceston three or four weeks ago. He taped it up for last weekend and it was hanging on by a thread, but he got through because that’s the type of character he is.

“With 10 seconds to go last week he went to make a spoil on the wing and rolled his ankle. He wasn’t able to train on Wednesday. We’ve got a session on Friday but at this stage he’s unlikely to play.”

Green brings his 105-game, 132-goal AFL experience at Brisbane Lions and Essendon to the final, along with Colin Garland’s 141-game, 16-goal experience as a Melbourne defender.

“Greeny was close last week but it was too much of a risk. He didn’t think he was 100 per cent right. It’s good to have him back,” Webberley said.

Launceston lost only twice in the home-and-away series, finishing two games clear at the top of the ladder.

“One of those two losses was to us at Blundstone a few weeks ago, and that was decided by a kick after the siren,” Webberley said.

“We are 1-2 against them this year and we were within a couple of kicks against them last time at Windsor Park,” Webberley said.

“We play a similar style to Launceston in some ways.

“They’ve got some bigger bodies and more guys in their early to mid-20s than us, and we’ve got more guys 19 and under.

“Our leg speed is an area of strength for us, so maybe that has got something to do with why we match up well on them, and there are some other things we think we can do really well against them.”

The venue for the preliminary final, based on the condition of Windsor Park due to rain and foot traffic on the surface and availability of University of Tasmania Stadium, was an issue early in the week.

The venue makes little difference to Clarence.

“It’s preliminary final day — if you can’t get up for that there’s something wrong,” Webberley said.

“It’s a big test but one we’re looking forward to.

“It’s at their home deck, but it’s just another game.

“Maybe during the year meeting a team on the rebound is an issue but I can’t imagine it will have any effect on the game this weekend.

“If you can’t get yourself up for a preliminary final, you’re in the wrong game.”

Sunday’s game starts at 1pm.