The new controversial five week TSL Finals Series has finally reached it's climatic end with the Tasmanian State League Grand Final. As expected Clarence made the Grand Final without much fuss, they managed to cruise past Launceston twice in the finals with the only trouble coming in the third quarter of the 1st Qualifying final when the Blues started their fight back but then it was smooth sailing for the reigning premiers, and the favourites who have been the bookies favourite for most of the season.

But now we come to the surprise. Everyone expected that Launceston and Clarence were going to play off in the Grand Final, but the finals chucked up a surprise and Devonport overcame the Blues to book their spot in their first Statewide League Grand Final since 1988. That year Devonport were known as the Blues, facing their Southern Magpie rival Glenorchy.

Devonport went on to win the game 15.7 (97) to Glenorchy 8.6 (54) with the win Devonport became the first non-Southern club to claim a premiership is the brand new Statewide League which started in 1986. Before 1986 the league was mainly Southern based, and also with their win they would leave Glenorchy with a sour taste in their mouth as they had lost the 1987 Grand Final to arch rival North Hobart.

Clarence and Devonport recreate last seasons Grand Final where the Roos played the Southern Magpies Glenorchy last season, the main difference for this seasons Grand Final is not only the five week finals, but also Glenorchy had an easy passage into the Grand final, last season the Roos had to win their way through via the Elimination final.

Clarence would end Devonport's season last year with a win over them at Bellerive Oval, the Magpies were left bemused by the sudden switch to Bellerive Oval, they were wanting a venue that was not the home of Clarence, would it have mattered? Probably not, but Devonport were still seething at the move from an unsuitable North Hobart to the Clarence home ground.

Devonport coach Errol Bourn said his side would throw everything at the almighty Roos this week, pointing out Clarence won the flag from third spot last year after going into the grand final as the underdog. He said full back Brett McCall, who missed the win over Launceston, was a good chance to return for the finale.

The last time these two teams met was back in Round 14 at Bellerive Oval, and it took probably the best quarter by an individual in the short history of the TSL. Small forward Trent Standen almost single-handedly kept the Roos' quest for the perfect season alive, Standen booted five goals in the final quarter as Clarence booted 8.5. Devonport would only manage a solitary goal, the potential Clarence loss was turned into what appeared to be a comfortable 32 point win, but it was anything but easy for the Roos.

Trent Standen finished with seven goals for the game, and also had close to 30 touches in the match-winning best-afield performance, but for so long during that game it did look like Devonport would not only inflict the first Clarence loss of 2010 which would later go to Launceston at Aurora. But the Magpies came close to ending thier horror run at Bellerive which extends back to their Premiership year of 1988.

Of course the Statewide League would cease to exist after 2000 and would come back in 2009 but it still hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Magpies. Clarence have had a strangle hold on Bellerive since their last home game of 2008 and have not lost there since, Launceston came close to breaking the Roos' dominance there last season, as did Glenorchy in the 2009 Grand Final but the Roos managed to hang on to their perfect record there for the last 2 seasons.

Devonport dominated the stoppages for three quarters, with ruckman Ryan Williams feeding the likes of Rhys Mott and Kurt Heazlewood. While they were missing key forward Ben Reynolds, plenty of others chipped in with 10 different goal kickers supplying their 12 goals. But they also had plenty of misses when they controlled general play, and their inability to shut Clarence right out of the game allowed the last quarter resurgence. And what a resurgence it was.

Stung by being behind at the last change for the first time this season, Clarence turned the momentum 180 degrees at the clearances and smashed Devonport. Captain Nick Paine was Standen’s sidekick, with four crucial goals, while Jaymes Baker was excellent through the middle and Stuart Whitelaw just as good off the halfback line. Both teams suffered crucial injuries, with Roos big man Brennan Savage injuring his shoulder in the second term and Magpies wingman Vin Ponsonby – who had been on fire with two first half goals – badly injuring his ankle in the third quarter. Neither finished the game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Trent Standen (Clarence) – Described as the recruit of the year, Standen returned to the club after a stay down Sorell in the Southern Football League, and he has been on fire for the Roos, if the Magpies are not on their toes he can pop up and kick a bag, like he did back in Round 14.

Brennan Savage (Clarence) – The former Launceston defender has turned into a talented forward for the Roos, they needed a replacement for Dutton when he called time last season, they had two stand up, Geappen, and Savage, Geappen as all know he had to retire due to his neck problems, and now Savage has become a bit of a switch hitter, he can go back, and can go forward.

Rhys Mott (Devonport) – The young midfielder has been having a great season, he has been named in the Devonport bests for most of the season, and he will be one of the keys for the Magpies come the end of the game.

Kurt Heazlewood (Devonport) - Another key cog in the Devonport Machine, Heazlewood would bring much needed experience for the Magpies in the Grand Final, he is a former Baldock Medal Winner, and will no doubt play a part in any Devonport win this week.


QUESTION MARKS

Clarence have had the week off, and haven't really been tested as yet during the finals, Devonport really pushed the Roos for 3 Quarters back in Round 14, has the week off been something that has helped the Roos, or will this be the hindrance the Roos haven't needed?

Devonport have come into the finals the hard way, last season the Roos did eliminate them from the finals, and the Magpies haven't come close to winning at Bellerive in years, the last time they actually won was 1988 the same year they took the premiership, will the second time they have won at Bellerive be their second premiership? The last time they came close to beating the Roos was 1989 in a Drawn match which could have gone either way.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Clarence are the favourites, and how can you not expect that? They have won every game but that one loss to the Blues, they have had an easy time of the finals, and they look like again taking out the TSL Premiership, last season the Grand Final went down to the wire with Richmond Draftee Jeromey Webberley kicking the winning goal that sunk the Magpies.

The game was headed for a blow out as the Magpies failed to show up and then after half time the Magpies came close to snatching what would have been a massive come from behind Premiership win, Devonport who are the Northern Rivals of Glenorchy could use that as a bit of inspiration, but they'd hope that they would be able to get the better start against the Roos, and actually hold onto a win, unlike their Round 14 game where they allowed the Roos back into the game.

The Roos are also going to hope to win the flag for the injured Brett Geappen, who tried to make his triumphant return to the TSL against the Blues at Bellerive Oval, but could not gain medical clearance to play. For recruiters top of the top young talent of Tasmania will be on show at Bellerive, not only in the seniors, but the colts and reserves, Clarence have all their teams playing this weekend, Launceston have their reserves playing Clarence, and North Launceston will be playing Clarence in the colts.

Rhys Mott, and Josh Green are two players that are highly rated for the AFL Draft, a lot of recruiters were on hand to see them play throughout the season, a few were on hand at Devonport Oval, and let's not forget Charlie Riewoldt will be possibly playing in one of the other Grand Finals should he not earn a Grand Final berth this week. He is the brother of 2010 Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt, another prospect for a future draft.

By 5pm Saturday afternoon, we shall know if Clarence are back to back Premiers, or Devonport has broken through for it's second Premiership.

PREDICTION
Clarence by 30 points




LAST TIME THEY MET

Round 14 2010: Clarence 17.13 (115) def. Devonport 12.11 (83)

PREMIERSHIPS

Clarence

TFL Statewide League Premierships: 1970, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2009

SFL Premier League Premierships: 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006

State Premierships: Nil.

Devonport

TFL Statewide League Premierships: 1988

State Premierships: Nil.

Northern Tasmanian Football League Premierships: Nil.


RUNNERS UP

Clarence

TFL Statewide League Runners Up: 1962, 1969, 1971, 1985, 1995, 1998

SFL Premier League Runners Up: 2005, 2007

Devonport

TFL Statewide League Runners Up: Nil

Northern Tasmanian Football League Runners Up: 2004, 2005, 2006

PREVIOUS ROUND

Preliminary Final: Devonport 11.14 (80) def. Launceston 9.11 (65)

SEASON FORM

Clarence: WWWWWWWWWWWWWWLWWWWW
Devonport: LLLWWWWWWWLLWLWLWWWLWW

FORM OVER THE LAST MONTH

Clarence: WWWW
Devonport: WLWW

ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL

Clarence

1st Qualifying Final: Clarence 12.22 (94) def. Launceston 9.8 (62)
2nd Semi Final: Clarence 11.16 (82) def. Launceston 5.3 (33)

Devonport

2nd Qualifying Final: Devonport 13.12.90 def. Glenorchy 5.10.40
3rd Qualifying Final: Launceston 20.9 (129) def. Devonport 9.16 (70)
1st Semi Final: Devonport 5.11 (41) def. North Hobart 5.9 (39)
Preliminary Final: Devonport 11.14 (80) def. Launceston 9.11 (65)