South Hobart have been afforded little time to wallow in the national spotlight as their Australia Cup commitments are replaced by the quest for a first NPL Tasmania title in eight years.
Just three days after Kobe Kemp’s spectacular goal and a South Melbourne win inspired by former D’Arcy Street favourite Andy Brennan, Max Clarke’s men return to league action knowing their lead has been cut to just five points.
Although in the unfamiliar position of having gone two games without a win courtesy of the dramatic 2-2 draw with Devonport preceding the cup loss, South remain on course for an unbeaten Statewide campaign.
“The initial frustration has moved on to motivation for the end of the year,” Clarke said.
“I was a little bit concerned with how the group would bounce back, but there is a new motivation to want to compete in the national second-tier now and everyone is super excited for the rest of the year.
“If anything, we’re going to be more hungry in the next few games.”
But there will be no easing back in as fourth-placed Kingborough arrive having won five of their last six during which Noah Mies has bagged 11 goals.
And with Mies’ old club Launceston City closing in on top spot on the back of nine wins in 11, the title race is far from over.
Lions coach Jon Fenech said he was expecting the usual competitive, organised and highly-motivated South side.
“I really expect them to come in and be highly motivated to continue what they’ve been doing all season,” he said.
“Three games in a week will not faze a team like that. The challenge that all the clubs in Tasmania face when they’re playing South is the fact that they could take four or five players out, put four or five in from the bench or reserve team, and be just as strong.
“They’ve got strength and a system they work on that all the players know so we don’t expect them to be any different.”
Just four points separate second from fourth, with Devonport only ahead of Kingborough on goal difference.
“We’ve got our own plan we’re working towards and after two-thirds of the season with seven games to go, we’re at least where we would have wanted to be and the feeling is good at the moment,” Fenech added.
Another top-four meeting awaits when the same clubs clash in the Women’s Super League, with second-placed South on something of a wobble after just one win in the last four rounds.
South full-back Ruby Batchelor said the team is seeking to build on the excitement of the men playing on national television.
“It’s a big game for us but we’re riding the wave from Wednesday night,” she said.
“The atmosphere was pretty electric so as a whole club and especially as a team we’re all pretty amped about this weekend and trying to build on the last couple of games and keep moving forward through the season.
“South are a very close club I think. As a team we try to interact with the men’s team and the amount of pressure they put on themselves we take as well. We all play for the badge and it’s about putting that emphasis onto the pitch.”
Hailing from Harrogate in Yorkshire, Kingborough winger Tilly Wills has the distinction of playing for the Lions while supporting the Lionesses and is set for a huge weekend as her home nation defends its European crown against world champions Spain.
“One of the best parts of playing the game at the moment is seeing the women’s game on the rise,” she said.
“It’s incredible and England is one of the countries where it’s really taken off and we’re quite successful at the moment which is pretty good. Coming over here and seeing the different levels and opportunities is definitely eye-opening.”
Both teams have suffered recent losses to Launceston United who now separate them on the ladder and Wills knows this weekend is a golden chance to bunch up the chasing pack.
“I think we’re trying to keep momentum and it’s been hard,” she added. “We’ve brought a lot of new players in and tried a heap of new things. Some things have worked, some haven’t.
“But it’s a big game against South this weekend, we’re all super excited.”
Both WSL teams wanted to see Tasmania’s women’s competition afforded similar showcasing as the men.
“That’s the next step for FA to get female football on the main stage as well,” South assistant coach James Symmons said.
“That would be fantastic and would only aid in lifting the level here. The Australia Cup has been around for a long time and it’s about time it included the women’s game as well.”
Lions coach Simon Edwards agreed as his side prepared for just their second game in a month.
“We’re looking forward to getting some momentum because it’s been a very choppy season for us with lots of breaks between games,” he said.
“We need to be playing every week whatever that takes in terms of rostering and organisation to keep that momentum up for the players.”
Edwards encouraged more midweek fixtures and pushed for a four-round season while welcoming Launceston City’s arrival next year which should do away with the weekly bye.
“To Football Tas’s credit I think everyone is working together to make things better. I think next year if we do get City at least we’ve got eight teams in the comp and the bye goes.”
McDonald's NPL Tasmania, Round 15
Saturday, July 26
12.15pm Launceston United v Launceston City, Birch Avenue
2pm South Hobart v Kingborough, D’Arcy Street
2.30pm Clarence v Glenorchy, Wentworth Park
4.30pm Riverside Olympic v Devonport, Windsor Park
McDonald's Women’s Super League, Round 15
Saturday, July 26
11.45am South Hobart v Kingborough, D’Arcy Street
12pm Riverside Olympic v Devonport, Windsor Park
2.30pm Launceston United v Taroona, Birch Avenue
BYE: Glenorchy