Clarence wins first game of TSL season as Glenorchy sinks to bottom of ladder

Clarence have jumped into the TSL’s top four with a belting of their traditional rivals.

Action from TSL game between Clarence v Glenorchy from Richmond Oval. Clarence's Clint Riley tackles Glenorchy's Jaye Bowden. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

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CLARENCE may have gone country this season but Glenorchy has gone bush as the Roos baptized their new ‘home’ ground at Richmond with a crushing 78-point win over the Pies, keeping their traditional rival winless after three rounds.

Clarence was on from the opening bounce and Glenorchy was the opposite.

The Roos hunted in numbers, dominated the airways and had a backline that barely gave the visitors a sniff, keeping the cold Pies to a solitary goal in the 13.13 (91) to 1.7 (13) TSL extermination.

Glenorchy coach Paul Kennedy was left scratching his head searching for answers, while Clarence coach Jeromey Webberley said it was the perfect way to debut at lovely Richmond Oval.

“We’re making the ground our own, we’ve tinkered with the game plan to suit the ground and it’s a nice venue with a great atmosphere,” Webberley said.

Clarence's Josh Green celebrates with teammates after kicking a goal. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

Glenorchy went goalless in three of the four quarters, only scoring a major through Matty Jospeh’s set shot dead in front 10 minutes into the third.

It was said to be the first time in 35 years that Glenorchy had played a half of football without scoring a goal.

Clarence was so unhappy with its 41-point capitulation to Lauderdale in the opening round it spent the bye plotting to take it out on Glenorchy.

“That was really satisfying,” Webberley said.

“We didn’t play our best against Lauderdale and the things we put in place after that game we stepped up and showed today.

“We understand that Glenorchy is a bit depleted with injury and they probably had a bit of a stiff run today, but for our guys to play four quarters of footy like they did, we are pretty satisfied with that.

Zac Buechner was the stand-out Roo for his work down back, while Sam Green doubled as a ruckman and midfielder and Oliver Preshaw led the goal kicking with three.

There was little rest for Glenorchy defenders, but Zac Webster and Josh Arnold can walk tall for their efforts, particularly in keeping returned Roo and former Brisbane and Essendon forward Josh Green to one goal in a river of opportunities.

Onballer Mitch Rainbird was prominent, whether winning the ball or antogonising the opposition, and rising star Cooper Meredith showed one day he might be as good as his dad Ross.