Clarence coach says TSL is Tasmania’s best vehicle for getting our top teenagers noticed by AFL

The TSL’s star teenagers will miss round 10 due to school football commitments but one coach says they would be better off playing State League where AFL recruiters will see them.

Round 7 TSL match between North Hobart v Clarence from North Hobart Oval. Clarence's Oliver Davis. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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THE TSL clubs will do battle in round 10 without their best teenage players in a move that Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley says may not advance their chances of being snapped up in the AFL Draft.

The State League’s young guns have been seconded to play school football and Webberley believes it should have been delayed.

“I felt that in the year of COVID-19 it might have been a chance to play it later in the year,” Webberley said.

Clarence’s main draft prospect is Devils onballer Oliver Davis, who will play for Guilford Young College tomorrow rather than for the Roos against the TSL’s reigning premier North Launceston at Richmond Oval.

“A kid like Ollie Davis, if he has 30 possessions and kicks two goals against North Launceston and Brad Cox-Goodyer, Josh Ponting and Taylor Whitford, is he a chance to get drafted? Absolutely,” Webberley said.

“If he gets 30 and kicks two in school footy, is he still a chance to get drafted? I don’t know.”

The Roos have been wracked by injury, including the loss of Webberley and key onballer Clint Riley, who will miss up to three weeks with a knee injury.

“There are a couple of guys who still have to get through training like Ethan Jackson [knee]. There could be up to seven changes.

”It’s a great opportunity for some more young players to come in and give it their best shot against the best team in the competition.”

The Northern Bombers lost full-forward Jackson Callow (ankle) and teenage star Ollie Sanders to school football, but regained towering forward Bart McCulloch.

Lauderdale promoted Ben McGuinness for its clash with ladder leader Launceston at Lauderdale Oval.

Glenorchy made six changes for its date with the Tigers a KGV on Sunday, including the return of Jaye Bowden, Ben Kamaric, Matty Dilger and Adam Roberts.

The Tigers lost star defender Jarryd Drew (hip).