Clarence on target for finals
July 31st 2010 17:22
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
By Brett Stubbs
THE aim of going through the season undefeated had become a distraction for Clarence, coach Brett Geappen said yesterday.
But now after suffering their first defeat last Saturday to Launceston, the Roos can get back to concentrating on the No. 1 priority -- defending their TSL premiership.
This starts today at Bellerive where the Roos take on fourth-placed North Hobart.
"To be totally honest we did speak about it," Geappen said.
"We spoke about it after the state game mid-season break. It wasn't spoken about like it was the end of the world if we did lose a game, but why not try to achieve it?
"That is unachievable now, and the main thing is now the grand final.
"That [unbeaten season] is something we got a bit carried away with, even me as a coach you try to rush blokes back but now we are going to make sure they are cherry ripe for the finals.
"We are taking no risks, we want to make sure we have got a healthy list."
That softly-softly approach has already started with young gun Josh Green (punctured lung) and star utility Cameron Thurley (knee) both given an extra weeks break to make sure they are 100 per cent come finals time.
Clarence has beaten the Demons both times this season, a 17-point win in round four at Bellerive and a 79-point hiding at North Hobart in round nine.
"We certainly gave them a massive touch up," Geappen said.
"There was big things spoken about them early in the year but they have dropped off. They always get themselves up for games against us so we are expecting a tough challenge."
North playing-coach Clinton Brown said his side was ready for the Roos as it was close to full strength with the return of Jesse Wells, Ollie Di Venuto and Matthew Creese.
" I'm actually pretty excited about it to be honest," Brown said.
Wells can be the Demons wildcard, playing in attack or defence.
"If it's a dry day we might try and start him up forward," Brown said.
"We are going to go with a few different things but I don't want to give too much away.
"We've made some changes to try and compliment what we are trying to do but if everyone plays their role, we can match Clarence."
The match of the round will be between second-placed Launceston -- coming off the win over Clarence -- against Devonport (third) at Aurora Stadium. It will be the Blues first game without key forward Nathan O'Donoghue after he was suspended for umpire contact and wrestling for the rest of the season during the week.
Lauderdale will try to extend its winning run to four when it travels to Burnie at West Park, while Hobart is at home to Glenorchy at the TCA Ground.
By Brett Stubbs
THE aim of going through the season undefeated had become a distraction for Clarence, coach Brett Geappen said yesterday.
But now after suffering their first defeat last Saturday to Launceston, the Roos can get back to concentrating on the No. 1 priority -- defending their TSL premiership.
This starts today at Bellerive where the Roos take on fourth-placed North Hobart.
"To be totally honest we did speak about it," Geappen said.
"We spoke about it after the state game mid-season break. It wasn't spoken about like it was the end of the world if we did lose a game, but why not try to achieve it?
"That is unachievable now, and the main thing is now the grand final.
"That [unbeaten season] is something we got a bit carried away with, even me as a coach you try to rush blokes back but now we are going to make sure they are cherry ripe for the finals.
"We are taking no risks, we want to make sure we have got a healthy list."
That softly-softly approach has already started with young gun Josh Green (punctured lung) and star utility Cameron Thurley (knee) both given an extra weeks break to make sure they are 100 per cent come finals time.
Clarence has beaten the Demons both times this season, a 17-point win in round four at Bellerive and a 79-point hiding at North Hobart in round nine.
"We certainly gave them a massive touch up," Geappen said.
"There was big things spoken about them early in the year but they have dropped off. They always get themselves up for games against us so we are expecting a tough challenge."
North playing-coach Clinton Brown said his side was ready for the Roos as it was close to full strength with the return of Jesse Wells, Ollie Di Venuto and Matthew Creese.
" I'm actually pretty excited about it to be honest," Brown said.
Wells can be the Demons wildcard, playing in attack or defence.
"If it's a dry day we might try and start him up forward," Brown said.
"We are going to go with a few different things but I don't want to give too much away.
"We've made some changes to try and compliment what we are trying to do but if everyone plays their role, we can match Clarence."
The match of the round will be between second-placed Launceston -- coming off the win over Clarence -- against Devonport (third) at Aurora Stadium. It will be the Blues first game without key forward Nathan O'Donoghue after he was suspended for umpire contact and wrestling for the rest of the season during the week.
Lauderdale will try to extend its winning run to four when it travels to Burnie at West Park, while Hobart is at home to Glenorchy at the TCA Ground.
| 98 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
