LAUNCESTON will hope to build on last week’s State League victory over the Tigers when they make a road trip south to play Clarence on Saturday.
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The Blues will aim for two wins in a row against the Roos who they beat at Windsor Park by 48 points in round 9 this season.
“The morale has been good all year – even when we have been down we can see we are on the right path but there was a confidence boost from last week’s win even though it was a bit of an ugly win,’’ Launceston coach Chris Hills said.
“All credit to KIngborough who took it right up to us and the game was a real slug but to win like that and come from behind showed a good bit of character and I think we are heading down the right path.”
Hills said they believed they can repeat their previous victory over the Roos but it would require a four-quarter performance.
“It was probably the last game against them where we did put in a four-quarter performance and performed really well so it will take a lot of concentration but if we do that I am sure we can come away with a win.
“Clarence are a quality side and a proud club and not one to take easy and I don’t think they have a lay-down attitude so we will have to be on our toes but really looking forward to it.”
Launceston expects to regain Jake Smith, Jack Griffith and Will Edmunds will face a fitness test.
Jake Rice is likely to miss again with an ankle problem and Sonny Whiting and Michael Musicka are unlikely to return from injury.
The Blues omitted Ryan Tyrell and Brendan Taylor.
Clarence regained some big names with Matthew Drury, Jake Cox along with Mitch Williamson with Keegan Wylie and Jarrod Fisher also included.
North Launceston lost ruckman Daniel Roozendaal to suspension for their road trip to North Hobart Oval to play Hobart City and left out Marcus Haley.
The Northern Bombers recalled ruckman Alex Lee to replace Roozendaal and included Jordan Bennett, Logan Barker and Karlton Wadley.
The Demons pushed the Bombers all the way in round six at Aurora Stadium before falling by six points and North coach Zane Littlejohn will know the match represents a danger game following their four-point loss to Glenorchy last week.
Devonport will blood their eighth senior debutant for their road trip to KGV to play Glenorchy.with Kurt Mason set to play his first senior TSL game.
The Magpies also regained Brad Symmons, Ryland Coombe and Beau Thorp for their big challenge against the competition leader.
Glenorchy lost Tim Butterworth and captain Brayden Webb who had the recurrence of an ankle injury on his return last week against North Launceston.