Plenty of familiar faces should stoke up the McDonald's Women’s Super League Northern derby between Launceston United and Riverside this weekend.
Olympic are coming off a 12-0 battering from champions Devonport and facing a former Strikers coach in Al Ollington but - having already welcomed Nichola Clark, Madi Gilpin and Addi Otto to their squad - announced two more United recruits in Annie Reitsema and Bianca Anderson on the eve of the showdown.
Both strikers are available to debut against their former team at Birch Avenue, and Riverside coach Brian Wightman is well aware of the fixture’s numerous subplots.
“It adds spice to the contest,” he said.
“Everyone knows each other in Launceston and that is the same in the WSL when it comes to our teams.”
Wightman said the Valley Road mauling prompted plenty of soul-searching from his young team, which is determined to bounce straight back, particularly with Olympic fielding two senior women’s teams for the first time in the club’s history.
“Devonport come at you like a series of waves and it was a baptism of fire for me as a coach," he said.
"I’m not used to being in that position.
"It was tough, but credit to Devonport, they were absolutely outstanding, and I think they will challenge a lot of teams in the WSL this year.
“Al being from Devonport there will obviously be similarities, but he has a different squad of players so it will be another challenge for us.”
Ollington downplayed his connection to his opponents’ opening-round adversaries.
“Everybody seems to be mentioning that we’re going to be similar to Devonport because of my time there,” he said.
“To suggest that we’re going to go out and do something similar would be absolutely ludicrous.
"I’m sure that Brian and the girls have been working really hard this week to try and shore up the problems with their defence.
"Our girls said they are looking forward to the challenge, particularly as there are a number of girls at Riverside who were at Launnie United in previous years, so it will be a really interesting battle, I think.”
United will be without Chelsea Wing, who sprained an ankle in the 6-0 win at Taroona, but are delighted to have Canadian import Montana Leonard back in action after two gut-wrenching knee reconstructions.
“The club was super excited to see her back playing again, and for her to score two goals and close to getting a third in a 20-minute cameo is just an amazing thing,” Ollington said.
In the McDonald's NPL, it was English and Japanese imports Thierry Swaby and Shota Fujishiro who hit the scoresheet in Launceston City’s opening-round victory over cross-town rivals United, plus Australian recruit Angus Taylor who scored two from the left wing on debut.
Syson had already hit his limit of three international players, with Kazuki Hashimoto joining compatriot Fujushiro and Swaby, before he secured Taylor.
“I was told by [Taylor's] agent there was no chance because Victorian NPL clubs were after him, but I had a good relationship with him over the phone and he’s an Arsenal fan, which really helped!
“As an attacking threat, he’s got everything.
"Along with Thierry and a couple of others in the squad, it makes it a really threatening frontline which I’m really pleased with.
"We’ve got goals from different areas of the park which really helps.”
Syson admitted there had also been “huge interest” in Swaby, whose 18 goals last season was only a couple away from claiming the golden boot.
“There were a lot of clubs from out of State who were very keen with big offers, so it was really pleasing to keep him," he said.
City host a Clarence side still adjusting to the loss of coach Mark Astley just a week out from the start of the season.
Playmaker Sam Tooze said the squad has responded well with Chris Hey taking charge for the 4-1 loss at Glenorchy.
“It’s been difficult,” he said.
"The first game last week obviously showed that it was hard to regroup straight up after a week out from the season you lose your coach who you’ve had all pre-season and last year.
“Under Chris so far, we’re building something and will be able to work something out from here.
"[Launceston City] have picked up some good players in the off-season, scored some good goals last week, there’s definitely a lot of threats in that team, but I think if our boys play their roles and we come together as one, we can certainly give them a good run for their money and hopefully get something out of the game.”
NPL Round 2
Friday, March 21
8.15pm Glenorchy v South Hobart, KGV
Saturday, March 22
2.30pm Launceston United v Riverside Olympic, Birch Avenue
4.30pm Kingborough v Devonport, Lightwood Park
4.45pm Launceston City v Clarence, Prospect Park
WSL Round 2
Saturday, March 22
12.15pm Launceston United v Riverside Olympic, Birch Avenue
2.15pm Kingborough v Devonport, Lightwood Park
2.30pm Glenorchy v South Hobart, KGV
BYE: Taroona