Crossword Genius

Central strut spliced by drinkers (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mainbrace

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'central strut spliced by drinkers' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'central strut' is the wordplay.
'central' becomes 'main' (I've seen this in another clue).
'strut' becomes 'brace' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'main'+'brace'='MAINBRACE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mainbrace that I've seen before include "rope" , "It's spliced aboard" , "may get spliced at sea" , "that got spliced" , "Part of rigging" .)

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