TSL clubs to benefit with Devils clash with Geelong to be impacted following Victoria lockdown
The selection merry-go-round at Clarence is again in full flight with the Roos set to be bolstered by the availability of a host of Devils, whose stop-start NAB League season continues.
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THE spluttering NAB League season for the Tasmania Devils has continued following Victoria’s fifth lockdown.
The Devils — who had their round six and seven home games cancelled and have had several schedule changes due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic — were due to play the Geelong Falcons on the road Sunday.
But Victoria’s snap lockdown, which will last five days, has ruled out an interstate trip.
State League clubs will be the biggest beneficiaries, with AFL Tasmania releasing a statement on Thursday allowing sides to submit a bench extension which would include their listed Devils.
Clarence, which heads to UTAS Stadium to clash with North Launceston, will welcome back its strong contingent with open arms in what is likely to be their last club appearance before TSL finals.
“If they are available for club land we will have significant change because it’s probably the last time we’re going to see the Devils before potentially the final series,” Roos coach Jeromey Webberley said.
“It will be good to see [Sam] Banks in the red and white running around and those types of players and see what they can do on UTAS against a really good opposition.”
The Roos run into a Bombers outfit on the rebound from last week’s defeat to cross town rivals Launceston in what will be playing coach Brad Cox-Goodyer’s 200th match.
Clarence is the only side outside of Launceston to defeat North in 2021, and with the run to the finals approaching Webberley knows a good performance will provide a jolt of confidence to a playing group on the up from a mid-season slump.
“If we get close or win it, it wouldn’t do us any harm. But the reality is that we think that we can beat anyone on any given day,” Webberley said.
“It’s just the matter of making sure that we’re consistent for four quarters. We’ve added a couple of things to our game over the last few weeks that we’ve been working on for a period of time that we’re excited about.
“Does that mean they’re going to work this weekend? No, but it’d be great if we could come away with a win and it would give the boys some real confidence but the reality is that if we get beaten, it doesn’t dent the fact that we think we can beat anyone.”
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