Clarence coach brands Windsor Park conditions unfit for TSL level after loss to Blues

Clarence coach Peter Ryan feels Saturday’s game against Launceston at a heavily rain-affected Windsor Park shouldn’t have gone ahead at the venue.

Players compete for the ball in the Windsor Park mud. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Clarence coach Peter Ryan has branded the mudpit conditions that greeted them for Saturday’s clash with Launceston at Windsor Park as unfit for TSL level, and believes “greater leadership” should have been shown in potentially moving the game.

The Kangaroos raised concerns about the state of the ground after heavy rain on Friday ensured boggy conditions at a venue renowned for not handling poor weather well.

Ryan said the conditions were the same for both teams and was adamant conceding eight unanswered goals in the opening term of the 60-point loss had nothing to do with the club’s hesitant to play on the ground.

“When I got up here I don’t think the ground was acceptable for TSL level, to be honest,” Ryan said.

“It’s not the reason we lost the game, but in terms of the conditions my concern was just the care for players, and the risk. I didn’t think it was safe conditions.

TSL, Clarence coach Peter Ryan during the game against Lauderdale at Blundstone Arena. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I raised some questions – at the end of the day I didn’t think it was a playable surface.”

Ryan feels AFL Tasmania could have used their discretion to move the game to another venue, or postpone it.

“Once you play you’re on the same ground (as the opposition), it just would have been nice to have a little bit more strong leadership from AFL Tas, to be honest,” he said.

“They’re fully aware of the rain (that’s fallen) up here and the condition of the ground. They probably should have taken the opportunity to move the game.”

Asked if it would have been too difficult to move the game to UTAS Stadium, Ryan said: I don’t think it is. Not if you’re being proactive, you can see these things coming and get ahead of the game.

“My concern for both sides was you’ve got some guys here (playing) striving to get drafted and lucky we got through unscathed.

“But when you put your foot down and the ground actually shifts, my concern was there’s a potential risk for injury.

“We came though with no injuries, so people might sit there and say we were justified in playing the game.”

Launceston's Brodie Palfreyman fights for the ball. Picture: Jon Tuxworth

Launceston coach Mitch Thorp believed the ground was fit for play.

“I heard there was some queries but never was there any sign the game wouldn’t go ahead,” he said.

“Scott Stephens our footy director, AFL tas and the council worked through it pretty quickly that it was fine to play.

“We saw two games and we kicked 80-odd points, it wasn’t too tricky to score was it.

Ryan said the issue had no impact with how poorly his side started the game, and gave Launceston full credit for their intent.

“Not at all. Launceston came with a clear purpose and once we knew nothing was going to be done about our concerns, you play the game.

“The first quarter they banged on eight goals and that was the game really. I was disappointed with our effort we looked disinterested which is really disappointing.

“Launceston to their credit just came out with a purpose. They wanted to get third spot and there was something on the line, I’m really disappointed in our players we didn’t give a yelp.

“If you have a really strong club and I think they’re led really well by Mitch (Thorp), it generates high standards.”