TSL Football: 2018 Club guide — Clarence

CLARENCE was the underachiever of the TSL last season. JAMES BRESNEHAN reports on how the Roos can make amends in 2018.

Clarence TSL coach Jeromey Webberley, left, with players Brady Jones and Jackson O'Brien. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

CLARENCE was the underachiever of the TSL last season. The Roos rocked it at the top of the ladder for a while and diced with North Launceston for the minor premiership late in the season. Their performances dropped away and they had to settle for second. Then came the worst part — they went out of the final in straight sets. Can the Roos can make amends in 2018?

Senior coach: Jeromey Webberley

Senior captain: Brady Jones

Last year: 3rd (14 wins, 6 losses)

Last senior flag: 2010

2017 best and fairest — Jackson O’Brien

2017 leading goalkicker — Trent Standen 43

Clarence's Trent Standen gets his handball away from Lauderdale's Ryan Wiggins Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Gains: Chris Neild (Tigers), Brian Edmunson (Lindisfarne), Troy Cunliffe (Lindisfarne), Ryan Bailey (Brighton), Taylor Williamson (Hay, Vic), Billy Sharman (Devonport), Fletcher Seymor (OHA), Ryan Cowie (North Hobart)

Losses: Sam Siggins (VFL Geelong), Aiden Grace (VFL Geelong), Claude Alcorso (Hutchins), Shane Bradford (OHA), Zac Bueschner (NEAFL), Ian Callinan (OHA), Michael Fisher (DOSA), Jack Gleeson (Leitchville, Vic), Cooper Leek (North Hobart), Zac Mastrocola (OHA), Luke Murfitt-Cowen (Hitchins), Kyle Palmer-Hughes (NEAFL), Jordan Roberts (Lindsifarne)

Season fixture

R1 v Lauderdale (Lauderdale) Mar 31, 2pm

R2 v Bye

R3 v North Hobart (NHO) Apr 14, 2.30pm

R4 v North Launceston (BA) Apr 21, 2pm

R5 v Launceston (BA) Apr 28, 2pm

R6 v Glenorchy (KGV) May 5, 1pm

R7 v Tigers (Twin Ovals) May 12, 1pm

R8 v Lauderdale (BA) May 20, 2pm

R9 v Bye

R10 v North Hobart (BA) Jun 2, 2pm

R11 v Launceston (WP) Jun 9, 2pm

R12 v North Launceston (BA) Jun 16, 2pm

R13 v Glenorchy (KGV) Jun 23, 2pm

R14 v Tigers (BA) Jun 30, 2pm

R15 v Lauderdale (BA) Jul 6, 2pm

R16 v Bye

R17 v North Hobart (BA) Jul 21, 2pm

R18 v North Launceston (UTas) Jul 28, 2pm

R19 v Launceston (WP) Aug 4, 2pm

R20 v Glenorchy (BA) Aug 11, 2pm

R21 v Tigers (BA) Aug 18, 2pm

Troy Cunliffe will add run to the Clarence midfield after transferring from Lindisfarne. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Three to watch:

1. TROY CUNLIFFE The two-time William Leitch Medal winner has decided to ply his trade with Clarence after starting his career at North Hobart and then Lindisfarne in the SFL. An elite runner. Will give the Roos a boost at the clearances and break the lines.

2. RYAN BAILEY A great tap-ruckman, good mark around the ground. In the prime of his career and returns to the Roos after four years at Brighton.

3. HARRY RICHMOND Played in the Mercury Cup all last year but the Roos believes the medium forward with good hands will give them a lift in attack in through midfield.

Coach says: We’ve got an element of the unknown. We have turned over a few players but we feel we’ve got some quality recruits and good young players coming through the ranks from winning premierships in the under-16s and Development League last year. We will give those guys an opportunity. It will take time to adjust but by the end of the year we should be up and about. — Jeromey Webberley

Prediction: After North Launceston and Launceston, Clarence could be best of the rest if the Roos’ recruits come up to speed quickly. They were outstanding in patches last year but let themselves down in the finals. Will at least be a top-four team.