The Match of the Round for Round 17 is the Friday night derby between the Kingborough Lions and Clarence Zebras. The two sides have played out two high-scoring clashes so far this year, with the Lions emerging victorious in both, 6-2 in Round 3 and 4-3 in Round 10.
Lions coach Alfed Hess was relishing the opportunity to play a Friday night fixture at home.
"It’s always a great challenge to play against Clarence, they’ve been really competitive in the matches we’ve played against them this year," he said.
"It's another opportunity for us to play at home on a Friday night, it’s going to be great.
"There is always an advantage and an energy that comes with playing at home, we will enjoy that this evening.”
The Lions currently sit seven points adrift of the top three, so they will need to win their remaining fixtures and hope for results in other games to fall their way, making tonight a must-win game for them.
“Absolutely we need to win," he said.
"It’s been tight this year and all we can do is put our best foot forward in the matches we have remaining, but it's going to be important to produce a performance worthy of a result tonight.
"We are just trying to keep the pressure on, keep in that conversation and finish the season well."
Hess felt the side was close to breaking through and would reflect on missed chances if they did fall short this season.
“It’s a question we will reflect on, we’ve been close but not quite there, we built well on last season and have given ourselves great opportunities but not quite taken them," he said.
"It remains to be seen, but hopefully we can find the solution ahead of the next season.”
The Lions' coach felt his side needed to guard against the Zebras in transitional moments to get the win tonight.
“They are good in transition, they’ve caught us in those moments in games against them this year, they’re high quality which is a credit to Mark [Astley] and how he has improved the side this year," he said.
"We will need to manage those moments well tonight to nullify their threat."
Clarence Zebras coach Mark Astley said his said would take some belief from earlier in the season in their bid to cause an upset.
“We go into every game with some confidence that we have some ability in the squad to cause an upset," he said.
"We’ve had a couple of tight games against Kingborough so far this year, so we’re hoping to get the edge over them this time, make it third time lucky.”
Astley paid credit to Hess and said they would be a tough opponent for his side.
“Over the last season and a half, they’ve clicked into gear and been at least as good, if not better than the other top four sides," he said.
A couple of results in the big games haven’t gone their way, but they’re still in the title race coming up to the end of the year, which is a credit to Freddy [Hess].
"They’re as much of a threat as anyone in the league.”
Astley said the biggest positive for the season for his side had been the flooding of young players as they build for the future.
“Lots of positives this year, we’ve given 12 players their NPL debut this season and there are still five games left where we will look to give two more boys a chance to get out there on the park", he said.
Whilst the last month hasn't been kind from a results perspective for his side, the Zebras boss was targeting a strong finish to the season in the final five rounds to help build into the 2025 season.
“We want to end the season on a high, we had a tough month in terms of result, but injuries, illness and suspensions have played a role in that," he said.
"I think it's critical for the boys that we claim a few scalps in the final five games of the season, so we can bring that positive energy and optimism into the 2025 season.”
In other Round 17 action, the competition's top two sides are both facing road trips to Launceston. South Hobart will be warm favourites against Launceston United, but they will need to be on guard having dropped points on their last two ventures North.
Glenorchy Knights meanwhile will be backing up off their mid-week Australia Cup trip to play NWS Spirit in Sydney and could be vulnerable against a Riverside outfit who have been inconsistent but at their best are a tricky proposition for anyone.
Undoubtedly the biggest game of the weekend in the title race is Launceston City hosting the Devonport Strikers, with City having held the Strikers to a draw earlier in the season and promising to be a tough assignment once again, with Devonport needing to win to stay in touch with the top two and keep their title defence alive.
Round 17
Friday 9 August
Kingborough Lions v Clarence Zebras, 8:15pm, Lightwood Park LIVE STREAM
Saturday 10 August
Launceston United v South Hobart, 2:15pm, Floorworld Park LIVE STREAM
Riverside Olympic v Glenorchy Knights, 4:30pm, Windsor Park LIVE STREAM
Launceston City v Devonport Strikers, 4:45pm, TassieCare Park LIVE STREAM