Launceston City will be chasing history when they make a welcome return to Statewide women’s football this weekend.
The Prospect club has never won a State league title and withdrew from the competition eight years ago after twice finishing runners-up - behind champions Olympia (2016) and Hobart Zebras (2017) - and a third-place finish when Ulverstone won in 2018.
However, City did claim State championship crowns in 2007 and 2012 when competing in regional competition, added a Statewide cup in 2015 and won the latest of 17 Women’s Northern Championship titles last season to lay the foundations for their Statewide return.
Coach Alex Aylott said his players are proud to spearhead the club’s campaign to build on its regional dominance.
‘It’s extremely important because it’s an acknowledgement of the hard work that’s been put in by many, many people over a number of years,” he said.
While it will have been 2751 days since City’s last WSL match - a 1-0 loss to Hobart Zebras at KGV - Aylott said the club has benefitted from having had 12 months to prepare for this moment.
“We were always quite disappointed at getting knocked back with previous applications but on reflection I think it’s been a blessing in disguise to give us that time. Last year allowed us to identify what gaps we had in our squad (and) who we needed to bring in (and) also solidify how we wanted to play and now this year's just about stepping it up a level.
“When we dropped out of the WSL previously, we didn't even have a Northern Champ team that next year, so just to rebuild it from absolutely nothing over the last six years has just been phenomenal by so many people, so we want to do everyone proud.”
City were delighted to see highly-rated young goalkeeper Amelie Millar graduate to Adelaide United in the A-League Women at the end of last season. They have since welcomed Ulverstone’s Sophie Wilson from NPLW Queensland under-23 premiers Brisbane City, along with Launceston United trio Hollie Jones and sisters Chelsea and Amelia Wing, while Zali Kirkman has returned and Sarah Campbell taken over the gloves from Millar.
Kingborough have been handed the honour of welcoming the WSL newcomers ahead of two more Northern opponents with Launceston United and Riverside Olympic to follow in the next fortnight.
“I'm really excited that Launnie City have done this hard work to bring themselves up to the standard with their female program,” said Lions coach Simon Edwards. “Hats off to Alex (Aylott), we're really excited about this hit-up on the weekend.
“I've been around long enough (that) I've got memories of the City that was up there at the top of the table, and they were hard times whenever we came against City then, so we’re certainly not taking this game lightly. There's some talent in the group that Alex has put together.”
Lions may have farewelled their Korean trio but retained influential English playmaker Hannah Walsh and recruited goalkeeper Casey Bumford.
South Hobart and Clarence may have finished at opposite ends of last season’s McDonald’s NPL Tasmania ladder but will both be looking to build on opening-round wins when they meet at D’Arcy Street on Sunday.
Champions South continued where they left off as a Nick Morton hat-trick helped them to a 5-1 win at Launceston United while, reigning wooden spooners Zebras equalled their number of wins from last season by seeing off competition newcomers South East United 2-1.
Clarence coach Brian Murphy was delighted to get the points at Sorell, but up for the challenge of switching from facing league debutants to champions.
“Considering what we did last year, only one win and a draw, it was a big three points for us, and I think other teams will struggle down there,” he said.
“I'll ask the boys to show that character they showed last week, and hopefully this week, coming up against a footballing side, we'll be allowed to play a little bit more football as well. We just need to be able to compete with them, and I think we will.”
Sydney FC’s under-18s coach Peter Edwards has replaced Max Clarke at South Hobart, tasked with building on a double-winning campaign which saw just one loss.
He hopes Devine Samuel will be key to that process having netted on debut at Birch Avenue. Edwards said the young English striker had Football League experience with Leyton Orient, having also trialled with Millwall and Sheffield United.
“Some conversations we've had with his agent (are) about trying to build (his) exposure and also build him into senior football,” he said. “Tassie's brilliant for that, because it allows him to make mistakes at times and not be so crucified that you can be in other leagues, and it gives a chance for us to work with him and try and really hone and perfect his game. He's an exciting talent; he's a breath of fresh air and very unpredictable.”
Launceston City, Kingborough and Devonport will also be seeking to build on round-one victories when they host Ulverstone, South East and Launceston United respectively, while Riverside and Glenorchy will both be chasing their first points at Windsor Park.
McDonald’s NPL Tasmania, Round 2
Saturday, March 14
2.30pm Devonport v Launceston United, Tassie Care Valley Road
2.30pm Kingborough v South East United, Kitchen Centre Park
4.45pm Launceston City v Ulverstone, Community Bank Deloraine & Districts Park
4.45pm Riverside Olympic v Glenorchy, Windsor Park
Sunday, March 15
2pm South Hobart v Clarence, D’Arcy Street
McDonald’s Women’s Super League, Round 1
Saturday, March 14
12.15pm Riverside Olympic v Glenorchy, Windsor Park
12.15pm Devonport v Taroona, Tassie Care Valley Road
2pm South Hobart v Launceston United, D’Arcy Street
2.30pm Launceston City v Kingborough, Community Bank Deloraine & Districts Park