Clarence annoints onballer Jarrod Harper as stand-alone skipper in its leadership super-seven

Clarence’s new stand-alone captain says the Roos can go deep into the TSL finals in 2022. THEIR MISSION >>

MIDFIELD machine Jarrod Harper has taken the captaincy role in his own right at Clarence this season and after making the State League preliminary final last year he has high hopes for the Roos in 2022.

Harper, 25, was co-captain with Zac Buechner in 2021 and with the big defender now at Central Districts in the SANFL, he has been handed the reins as solo captain at the TSL powerhouse.

His vice-captains, fellow-onballer Baxter Norton and defender James Holmes, head a Clarence leadership group of seven.

CLARENCE CAPTAINS

Harper said holding the co-captaincy last season was invaluable for his personal development.

“We worked closely with ‘Jez’ [former coach Jeromey Webberley] and the other coaches to stamp our brand as a team and improve our voice as a group,” Harper said.

“There was more pressure on us to perform because we couldn’t be telling our teammates what to do if we are not doing it ourselves. You have to lead by example.

“It worked out well. We both had good seasons and ‘Buech’ is over in the SANFL now so he’s done very well and I’m sure having the leadership responsibilities helped us both on field.”

CLARENCE CAPTAINS

Harper will use last year’s experience to build his template for a solo captaincy role.

“Last year I was new to the job and I learned from that,” he said. “This year I will try to keep progressing in the same direction and with all the boys in the leadership group it will be a collective approach.”

Like his predecessor, Clarence’s new coach Peter Ryan brought a collaborative approach to Rooland.

“We’ve been talking a lot about footy and the team and tactical ideas, so it has been really good working closely with him,” Harper said.

Clarence was the strongest of the southern teams last season. It took Launceston to stop the Roos in the preliminary final at Windsor Park and Harper believes they are capable of going deep into the finals again this season.

“Our game plan will be similar and we’ve had a bit of a change in personnel, but we will turn up every week and have a crack and put pressure on the opposition with our effort,” he said.