Crossword Genius

Are only involved at a prior stage (5,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

early on

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'at a prior stage' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'are only involved' is the wordplay.
'involved' indicates an anagram (involved can mean confusing or complex).
'are'+'only'='areonly'
'areonly' with letters rearranged gives 'EARLY ON'.

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(Other definitions for early on that I've seen before include "while still young?" , "not long after starting" , "Quite soon in the proceedings" , "Towards the beginning" , "before much time passes" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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