Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Blogs | Writers | Paid | My Orble | Login

Rampage Roos bury Blues

September 5th 2010 07:35
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
By Brett Stubbs

IT seems not even rain for the biblical 40 days and 40 nights could stop Clarence's relentless march towards the TSL premiership.
Clarence defender Clint Riley looks to handball despite being pressured by Launceston's Jesse Lonergan in yesterday's semi-final.


In terrible conditions that left the usually pristine Bellerive Oval a muddy bog in patches, the Roos belted Launceston by 49 points.

Their second semi-final win of 11.16 (82) to 5.3 (33) booked a spot in the grand final.

Despite the heavy ground and slippery ball, Clarence played skilful dry-weather football.

The Roos tossed the ball around with precision and skill that made the Blues, the second-best team in the TSL, looking like lumbering hacks.

Given the conditions, the margin was the equivalent of a 100-point thrashing.

Such was the Roos' dominance that the Blues were held to one goal in the second quarter courtesy of a 50m penalty, and a single rushed behind in the third term.

Clarence coach Brett Geappen rated yesterday's performance as the best of the season and admitted that when playing at its optimum, his side could not be beaten.

"If we put four quarters together I think we are the best side that is not cocky, I just believe that," Geappen said.

"I think we have proved that this year. When we play like we did today, it was pretty convincing and they are the second-best team in the competition."

While big men were supposed to struggle in the wet, Matthew Drury and Brennan Savage were dominant across half-forward with their marking and work rate.

Josh Green demonstrated why he is considered a certainty to be drafted later this year with 29 touches on the wing, Cameron Thurley was like silk all day and veterans Ben Setchell and Matthew Geappen thrived in the conditions.

The Roos' defence was equally impressive.

Rohan Swan must be close to the most improved player in the competition and was virtually impenetrable across half-back.

Gregg Sharman obliterated Blues full-forward and Hudson medallist Brian Finch, keeping the TSL's leading goal-scorer scoreless.

It was the second time Clarence has convincingly defeated Launceston at Bellerive in the finals, and if the Blues are to make the grand final by beating Devonport next Friday night, they will go in psychologically scarred.

However, Blues coach Anthony Taylor tried to turn the heat back on the Roos.

"Clarence now has proved they are the best side now and there is a fair bit of pressure on them now," Taylor said.

"Everyone just expects them to win so whether it's us or Devonport, there is going to be a lot of pressure on them."

Again the Roos quelled the Blues playmakers in Scott Stephens and Sam O'Keefe, with both tagged out of the game by Clint Riley and Aaron French.

"That is an area Scotty and Sam have to get better at but they are quality players," Taylor said.

"It worked in Clarence's favour again today but it is not through a lack of hard work. They are working equally as hard, but they took our play-makers out."

The Roos spread the workload forward with eight goal scorers. Small forward Trent Standen was the main contributor with 3.4.
10
Vote
   


His career came to a shock end, and it was almost a shock comeback but game day came and Brett Geappen was denied his chance to play again. AFL Tasmania told Brett he could not run onto the ground today to play for the Roos in their 2nd Semi Final Clash with the Blues.


The risk of playing for Geappen was a big one, but Geappen could not get a clearance to play, but the Roos did not need Geappen as they ran out winners today by 49 points booking a place in the 2010 Grand Final, and booking a home Grand Final.

Some would say that Geappen's decision to make a shock comeback, only to be given the news he couldn't get the legal documents to play was just a rouse to put the Blues off their game.

It was not a rouse that the Blues would fall for, but the rain came and seemed to wash out the Blues today at the oval. Another shocking end to a clash against the Roos.

Launceston were never in the hunt, and now face Devonport in the Preliminary Final as the Magpies held on to a 2 point win at Devonport Oval in another miserable day of football. North Hobart's season is over.

But it would not appear that Geappen's career is over for good, the 29 year old will have to settle with possibly coaching a second premiership with the Roos should they win the flag in 2 weeks.
28
Vote
   


Risks foil Roo's return

September 4th 2010 03:08
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
By Brett Stubbs

CLARENCE coach Brett Geappen will not play in today's second TSL semi-final, after failing to provide the medical documentation AFL Tasmania required.
Brett Geappen's game gamble is over.


Geappen was attempting to make his comeback today after being forced into early retirement mid-season with a disc injury in his neck.

A bulging disc caused arm pain and he was hospitalised.

It was the second serious neck injury Geappen had received and doctors advised him to quit playing, having also had a vertebra fused during the pre-season.

AFL Tasmania general manager Shaun Young said yesterday Geappen would not take the field in today's match against Launceston.

"There has been no written correspondence form Brett's medical team outlining that he would be placed at no greater risk than any other player," Young said yesterday.

"Therefore, as per the guidelines we implemented with the Clarence Football Club, Brett will not be allowed to play," Young said.

"I've been in regular consultation with Clarence, they have been fantastic to work with and very supportive of the process we have implemented.

"Not only us but the Clarence Football Club has got Brett's best interests at heart."

While the chances of Geappen re-injuring his neck were slim, more damage to the neck or spine could have resulted in permanent paralysis.

Geappen, 29, was not keen to discuss his situation yesterday.

"I didn't expect this sort of response," he said.

"The thing is, the team has to get named early in the week [on Wednesday], that is the tough part.

"At that stage, was I playing or not? Who knows.

"If I don't put my name in the side, I'm no chance but I knew I still had some hurdles to get over.

"It has been no distraction at all to the team.

"It has been to me, to a certain extent, but it is not going to affect my coaching. I know what's going on and we'll leave it at that," Geappen said.
10
Vote
   


Geappen's dice with death

September 3rd 2010 09:11
10
Vote
   


Geappen's neck on the line

September 3rd 2010 03:16
Sourced: The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania
by JAMES BRESNEHAN

[ Click here to read more ]
23
Vote
   


Roos jumping with full list

August 19th 2010 02:11
43
Vote
   


Clarence, Blues kick off finals

August 16th 2010 07:50
49
Vote
   


Roos jump on Bombers

August 16th 2010 07:42
58
Vote
   


Tassie star defends LARS

August 12th 2010 13:13
53
Vote
   


Clarence on target for finals

July 31st 2010 17:22
99
Vote
   


More Posts
5 Posts
4 Posts
3 Posts
18 Posts dating from March 2010
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:

David Harding's Blogs

3355 Vote(s)
16 Comment(s)
46 Post(s)
2684 Vote(s)
8 Comment(s)
24 Post(s)
11452 Vote(s)
10 Comment(s)
149 Post(s)
50 Vote(s)
0 Comment(s)
5 Post(s)
32 Vote(s)
0 Comment(s)
1 Post(s)
716 Vote(s)
0 Comment(s)
11 Post(s)
1103 Vote(s)
8 Comment(s)
15 Post(s)
3919 Vote(s)
0 Comment(s)
41 Post(s)
3075 Vote(s)
43 Comment(s)
26 Post(s)
13455 Vote(s)
33 Comment(s)
190 Post(s)
Moderated by David Harding
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]