Launceston’s determination to treat loyal supporters means no repreive in sight for Clarence

High-flying Launceston could be excused for easing off after an unbeaten start to 2020. However a desire to produce its best at Windsor Park will ensure no complacency sets in.

Round 5 TSL match between North Hobart v Launceston from North Hobart Oval. Launceston's Casey Brown and North Hobart's Troy Cunliffe compete for the ball. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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PUTTING on a show in front of its loyal faithful will ensure Launceston does not take its foot off the gas despite a flying start to the 2020 TSL season.

With their upcoming bye awaiting, the Blues are eyeing off a 6-0 opening to the condensed campaign against Clarence this afternoon.

And although the side’s current form has it clearly as the team to beat, coach Mitch Thorp is hopeful a jostling for positions — coupled with a desire to treat the limited crowd allowed into games — leads to maximum effort.

“We haven’t even mentioned the bye, we just want to keep the momentum rolling. We have done a good job to be in the position we are at the moment but we are just worried about Clarence this week,” Thorp said.

“This week is really important for us, probably just as much because it is at home. Our supporters are limited in the number of games they can get into so making sure we present really strongly at home in front of our local members is really important to us.

“It is something we are really focused on.

“Certainly things have changed in a short period of time, we have got players, coaches and former captains playing in our development league.

Mitch Thorp wants his side to treat loyal supporters with good form at Windsor Park. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“Tim Bristow came back through the development league couple of weeks ago, so the pressure is on and the squeeze is on for spots.”

Bristow will miss the clash after straining his hamstring in last week’s narrow defeat of North Hobart, with Grant Holt to take his place.

The Roos head into the clash on the back of a disappointing showing against Tigers, but Thorp is preparing for the visitor’s best.

“I don’t really want to comment on other clubs but just looking at it from afar you would think so [the Tigers match was an outlier], the Glenorchy game and the North Launnie one in particular they were very strong.

“Their best this year has been really good, we always look at the opposition’s best and it stacks up pretty well.

“They obviously did a job on Glenorchy and more importantly against North Launceston they were right in the game with 10 minutes left.

“We know their best is very good.”

Clarence has been hit hard with injury, with captain Brady Jones (ankle), young gun Oli Davis (quad) and James Bealey (hamstring) all unavailable while Dylan Howlett (knee) is also in doubt.

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