Crossword Genius

It may bulge unless keeper makes clear catch! (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

net

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'catch' is the definition.
(net can mean to catch)

'it may bulge unless keeper makes clear' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'it' could be 't' (abbreviation. e.g. in 'tis) and 't' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ne' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for net that I've seen before include "Meshwork" , "Score a goal" , "It's see-through" , "Catch, ensnare" , "Mesh; after tax" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.
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