Glenorchy and Clarence to lock horns with a TSLW grand final spot on the line
In a season where there was very little between the top three teams — who were only separated by percentage — the TSLW flag race is wide open ahead of Saturday’s semi finals
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GLENORCHY holds the home ground advantage but Clarence has the head to head record as the two traditional football rivals lock horns in the TSLW semi-final.
In what promises to be another titanic showdown, the Pies earned the right to stage the match at Abbotsfield Park on Saturday after pipping the Roos by just .16 of a per cent to finish in second spot on the ladder.
However Clarence will be buoyed by defeating their arch enemies in both encounters during the regular season.
It was the only two losses the Pies suffered in their eight games, with the evenness of the top three highlighted by the fact Glenorchy defeated minor premiers Launceston in their two meetings but the Blues had Clarence’s measure to all finish with 6-2 records.
Pies vice-captain Brieanna Barwick said despite coming up short against the Roos in their home and away fixtures, the side is ready to make amends.
“They are a really strong side, they have a good structure and they know how to work us under the ball and that’s really a credit to them,” Barwick said.
“It is definitely a mind game when it comes to Clarence, there has always been that great rivalry between [the two clubs] which makes it exciting.
“We are starting to gel at the right time which I think is important going up against strong competitors in Clarence.
“If we put it all out on the day and go in with a positive attitude, hopefully it goes our way.”
Despite narrowly missing out on hosting the cut throat final at Richmond, Clarence’s Amy Prokopiec declared the Roos have no fears of the wide expanses of Abbotsfield.
And even though they have parked last year’s stunning premiership upset of Launceston, the Roos will draw on the path they took to grand final glory.
“We have put a little bit of last year to rest however we are in the same position as we were last year, third on the ladder, the underdogs,” Prokopiec.
“But there is that added pressure because we are premiers. I think the girls are confident in our skills but not too cocky.”
Launceston will be raging favourites to book a second straight grand final appearance against North Launceston, who whose only two victories came against winless Tigers.
TSLW SEMI FINALS
Launceston v North Launceston, Windsor Park, 9.30am
Glenorchy v Clarence, Abbotsfield Park, Noon.
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