By: BRETT STUBBS
The Roos won five of the 15 flags on offer during that last experiment at state footy, with its domination so complete in the second half of that league it contested seven of the last eight grand finals for five victories. Now, after a year it failed to make the Southern Premier League grand final, Clarence has a new coach in former Devils' captain Brett Geappen, who is joined by his former Tasmanian VFL teammates Cameron Thurley, Ben Setchell and Cameron Blight. Such is the quality of these recruits, Geappen, Thurley and Blight are all former Devils best and fairest winners, while Setchell finished third last season. ``Obviously going back to the Statewide League it is hard to know how we match up against any side really but we are certainly very confident in the group we've got and the way training has been going,'' playing coach Geappen said. ``We have always been successful but we haven't won a premiership for three years. So knowing Clarence players and supporters, premierships is what they judge themselves on. ``They are keen to get back up the top again and be a powerhouse. The internal expectation has always been the greatest but that's fine, that's the way we like it and I think we have got the group to give it a shake.'' While the recruits have brought fresh expectation to Bellerive, it has been a far from perfect pre-season following the death of star midfielder Matthew Westfield, 26, in a car accident last December. ``It was a huge loss. It really rocked the club,'' Geappen said. ``At this level, Matthew Westfield is probably the best player in the competition. He just dominated. Losing Matthew is going to make a huge difference.'' The Roos have also lost full-back Daniel Archer to OHA and 2007 SFL leading goal-kicker Mitch Williamson to Lauderdale. But these losses should be adequately covered with Blight to play predominantly in the defence, and former Devils key forward Brad Dutton back on deck after a frustrating last few seasons with knee injuries. ``He's like a new recruit, he's flying,'' Geappen said. ``I was very surprised the first session I rocked up at how advanced he was and even since then he's come on in leaps and bounds. ``He's doing every session and he's not swelling up. We are going to be very careful with him but he's doing everything I ask of him. ``I said `let's not even aim for round one' but he will certainly be available for round one unless something happens between now and then. ``I don't think it will be an issue with his knee, it seems really strong and has even seemed to fix his kicking which was his biggest concern.'' It will allow Geappen to have two strong marking options forward with Dutton and Gregg Sharman to play in the key posts. ``There are not that many big forwards in the competition and we are probably lucky enough to have two of the best so our firepower should be pretty potent,'' he said. Onballer, skipper Nick Paine, has also enjoyed his best pre-season for sometime, with Geappen having high expectations on his captain this year. Geappen knows the Roos are only judged on premiership banners. Others seek popularity, but that is not Clarence's motto, it loves to be hated -- hated for being the most successful club in the state and that is where the Roos expect to return. AT A GLANCE Coach: Brett Geappen. Captain: Nick Paine. Last year: Third, SFL Gains: Brett Geappen (Devils), Cameron Thurley (Devils), Ben Setchell (Devils), Cameron Blight (Kingborough), Clint Riley (Smithton). Losses: Daniel Archer (OHA), Mitch Williamson (Lauderdale), Matthew Westfield (deceased). MATCH SCHEDULE Rd 1: North Hobart (North Hobart), April 10 Rd 2: Glenorchy (Bell), April 18 Rd 3: Burnie (West Park), April 26 Rd 4: Hobart (Bell), May 2 Rd 5: Launceston (Bell), May 9 Rd 6: North Launceston (Aurora), May 17 Rd 7: Lauderdale (Bell), May 23 Rd 8: North Hobart (North Hobart), May 30 Rd 9: Glenorchy (KGV), June 13 Rd 10: South Launceston (Bell), June 20 Rd 11: Hobart (TCA), June 27 Rd 12: Lauderdale (Lauderdale), July 4 Rd 13: Devonport (Bell), July 18 Rd 14: North Hobart (Bell), July 25 Rd 15: Glenorchy (KGV), August 1 Rd 16: Hobart (Bell), August 8 Rd 17: Lauderdale (Bell), August 15 Rd 18: South Launceston (Youngtown), August 22 PLAYING LIST 1. Nick Paine 2. Taylor Williamson 3. Aaron McVilley 4. Mitch Baker 5. Marc Thompson 6. Brett Geappen 7. Drew Westfield 8. Aaron French 9. Ben Setchell 10. Trent Whitelaw 11. Andrew Triffett 12. Cameron Thurley 13. Jack Boon 14. Jeremy Webberley 15. Josh Green 16. Matthew Drury 17. Brad Dutton 18. Joe Edwards 19. Sean Tisdale 20. Gregg Sharman 21. Nick Skeggs 22. Jaymes Baker 23. Brenton Gale 24. Cameron Blight 25. Tim Orchard 27. Jackson O'Brien 28. Aaron Tuxworth 29. Ben Langford 30. Rohan Swan 31. Clint Riley 32. Angus Brettingham-Moore 33. Jackson Burns 34. Harry Riewoldt 35. Josh Mitchell 36. Jared Watkins 37. Mitch McPherson 38. Matthew Joyce 39. Adam Green 40. Matthew Round 41. Justin Westbury 42. Gavin Cooney 43. Aaron Fitzpatrick 44. Mitchell Swan 45. John Ferguson 46. Glendon Bentley 47. Rodney Callinan 48. Michael Oakford 49. Dane Bailey 50. Bradley Coad 51. Luke Polanowski 52. Josh Archer 53. Jordan McCreary 54. Tim Castle 56. Ricky Batt 57. Lyndon Fahey
Last Modified on 17/04/2009 14:35