Calm over Roo mob's rule
June 2nd 2010 06:02
Sourced: The Mercury Voice of Tasmania
AFL Tasmania chairman Dominic Baker says he is not concerned by Clarence's domination of the TSL.
The reigning premier sits undefeated on top of the ladder, three games clear of its nearest rival, after handing out a 79-point hiding to previously second-placed North Hobart on Saturday.
"I don't think it would be bad for the competition [if Clarence went through undefeated] but it will be interesting to see whether they do," Baker said yesterday.
"It will be a reflection on how good Clarence are, not the state of the competition.
"Anybody who didn't expect them to top of the pops in the first couple of years of the competition doesn't know that club very well.
"It is not unexpected for them to be dominating until this point but there is a long way to go this season. We are only half way through our second year, other clubs will catch up."
To underline their strength and depth, the Roos side that thrashed the Demons on Saturday was missing five from its best team captain Nick Paine, Mariners captain and almost certain AFL draftee Josh Green, fellow Mariner Adam Green, key defender and former Devil Gregg Sharman and midfielder Mitch Baker, who were all members of last year's premiership team.
Baker said the challengers for Clarence's crown will come. "Last year Clarence started very slow then warmed into their year," he said.
"Launceston is going very well, they have won three on the trot and Devonport has won six in a row.
"North Hobart might have been second on the ladder but they have had a lot of injuries at the moment, so they probably didn't have the second best team in the competition out on the park on Saturday.
"If you don't bring your A game, you are susceptible to anyone and Clarence have taken their A grade game in every week which is a credit to [playing-coach] Brett Geappen and the crew over there," he said.
"If you ask the old Sandy Bay followers, they will soon refer you to 1973 when they went through undefeated except for the very last week of the year."
AFL Tasmania chairman Dominic Baker says he is not concerned by Clarence's domination of the TSL.
The reigning premier sits undefeated on top of the ladder, three games clear of its nearest rival, after handing out a 79-point hiding to previously second-placed North Hobart on Saturday.
"I don't think it would be bad for the competition [if Clarence went through undefeated] but it will be interesting to see whether they do," Baker said yesterday.
"It will be a reflection on how good Clarence are, not the state of the competition.
"Anybody who didn't expect them to top of the pops in the first couple of years of the competition doesn't know that club very well.
"It is not unexpected for them to be dominating until this point but there is a long way to go this season. We are only half way through our second year, other clubs will catch up."
To underline their strength and depth, the Roos side that thrashed the Demons on Saturday was missing five from its best team captain Nick Paine, Mariners captain and almost certain AFL draftee Josh Green, fellow Mariner Adam Green, key defender and former Devil Gregg Sharman and midfielder Mitch Baker, who were all members of last year's premiership team.
Baker said the challengers for Clarence's crown will come. "Last year Clarence started very slow then warmed into their year," he said.
"Launceston is going very well, they have won three on the trot and Devonport has won six in a row.
"North Hobart might have been second on the ladder but they have had a lot of injuries at the moment, so they probably didn't have the second best team in the competition out on the park on Saturday.
"If you don't bring your A game, you are susceptible to anyone and Clarence have taken their A grade game in every week which is a credit to [playing-coach] Brett Geappen and the crew over there," he said.
"If you ask the old Sandy Bay followers, they will soon refer you to 1973 when they went through undefeated except for the very last week of the year."
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