Clarence says it has nothing to lose in TSL semi against powerhouse Bombers

Clarence is one of the few clubs to challenge reigning premier North Launceston this season and Roos say they are up for the fight in their semi-final on Saturday.

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CLARENCE coach Jeromey Webberley says the Roos have nothing to lose going into their TSL semi-final against North Launceston at UTAS Stadium on Saturday as the Northern Bombers aim for their seventh consecutive grand final.

After holding off North Hobart to win their final home-and-away match, Clarence clinched fourth on the ladder and a date with the Bombers.

Clarence playing coach Jeromey Webberley at Richmond. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

In the coronavirus-compacted season, the finals have been shortened to two weeks.

In week one, top plays fourth, and second plays third, meaning Launceston takes on Lauderdale at Windsor Park in the other semi-final and the Roos get the Bombers.

The winners advance to the grand final.

“It’s a formidable opponent but we’ve got nothing to lose – we’ll go there confident we’ll see how we go,” Webberley said.

Clarence has no fear heading into the toughest game in the TSL, the reigning premier on its home deck.

“To win the premiership you’ve got to beat everyone, so you’re going to have to play them at some stage,” Webberley said.

“We will play anyone, anywhere.

“We will bring our brand to UTAS and we’ll see where it leads us.”

Clarence made it through the North Hobart game unscathed.

Key defender Keegan Wylie may return from injury.

“He’s a really important player for us so if he gets through the two sessions this week he will play,” Webberley said.

North Launceston is undefeated since round two and heads into the finals on the back of an 88-point annihilation of Glenorchy at UTAS on Saturday, which started with an 8.4 to 0.0 opening term.

“We need to take that momentum into next week,” said North Launceston coach Taylor Whitford.

“That was some of the best footy we’ve played in nearly 24 months.

“Our first quarter was fantastic, and fundamentally clean. We good inside and outside and nailed our kicks when we needed to and finished really well.

“If we can take some of that into the final that will serve us well.”

In their two contests this year, North Launceston won both times by 15 points at UTAS in round four and nine points at Richmond in round 10.

“We’ve had two really good contests so I think you’ll see a really exciting game of footy,” Whitford said.