The NPL Tasmania chasing pack could be set for a big shake-up when Launceston City travel to Glenorchy on Saturday.
With runaway leaders South Hobart, third-placed Devonport and fourth-placed Kingborough hosting bottom three Riverside, Clarence and Launceston United respectively, two teams with big aspirations have the chance to make a major statement.
Separated by just six points, the fifth-versus-second clash unites sides in contrasting form.
The reigning champion Knights have collected just one point from their last four games and are coming off a first ever loss to Riverside while Daniel Syson’s free-scoring City have won six of their last eight, bouncing back from tight losses to South (1-2) and Strikers (2-3) with a third victory of the campaign against the Lions.
“The league table never lies in terms of points but I always look a bit deeper in terms of goals scored and conceded,” Syson said.
“It definitely shows the importance of every game and also shows a competitive league which is always fantastic to see.”
City sit seven points behind Max Clarke’s unbeaten leaders but Syson is not conceding the title race.
“South Hobart can be caught,” he said. “We just need to look after ourselves, do our part and then go to D’Arcy Street and win, and if we are able to win our remaining games we will see where we are at the end.”
While summer signing Angus Taylor has amassed 14 goals this season (including both in the 2-1 win against Kingborough last round) and strike partner Thierry Swaby has 11, Syson highlighted the performance of a defence which has conceded just 13 goals.
“There’s been so many consistent performers this season which shows our performance levels throughout the season. Riley Fellows has been superb along with the entire back four and Woody (Jack Woodland).”
Glenorchy coach Brian Murphy sent his team paintballing during the bye week to improve team unity and prepare for a team which won 5-1 when they last met in round six.
“They are a very talented squad, Launceston City, let’s give them credit where it’s due,” he said. “Angus Taylor has been fantastic. For me he’s been player of the season in the league this year and can hit them from anywhere so it’s very important that we contain him and the Japanese full-back who likes to come into midfield (Kazuki Hashimoto), he’s a really talented player, and we know what (Will) Humphrey is like around a dead ball and we were punished twice by him the last time, but if we’d taken our chances that game might have been very different.”
Murphy felt second place is still up for grabs, even if first might not be.
“Our aim is to finish as high as possible. We’ll try for top three, if not, top two. It’s South’s to lose and I can’t see them dropping enough points for people to catch them. But I did say anyone can beat anyone this season and you saw that with Riverside getting their first win against us two weeks ago. It’s great for Tassie football that everyone’s so close together.”
It is a similar story in the Women’s Super League where fourth-placed Kingborough and third-placed Launceston United are level on points and separated only by a +3 goal difference.
With their closest rivals Glenorchy and South Hobart hosting strugglers Taroona and Riverside, two teams with lions on their badge have a golden chance to make a big roar.
“Every game is a final for us now, this one in particular - it’s a massive six-pointer,” said Kingborough coach Simon Edwards.
“A result would put us in touch with South. It’s going to be a very interesting last round of the season.”
Launceston United coach Al Ollington said his side has been left frustrated by a mixed season.
“Third place is not quite where we’d like to be at. We certainly were pushing for first or second this year,” he said.
“As with South Hobart in the NPL, Devonport are well and truly away in the WSL but South Hobart are still catchable for us and that’s our aim in the last part of the season.
“To lose against Glenorchy last weekend (4-2) was a bit of a shock to us and a wake-up call and we’ve had some conversations around that this week and how we can turn things around.”
Although both teams are seven points adrift of second-placed South, they are in differing form, Kingborough coming off three wins on the bounce while United have registered back-to-back losses since a statement victory at D’Arcy Street.
Edwards is pleased with how his team is starting to gel as the home-grown players welcome three Korean imports and an English contingent led by captain Hannah Walsh who has scored seven goals in the last seven games.
“Hannah is next level. She’s a fantastic player and fantastic leader and just brings that pure football brain into the group and has learned to communicate in different ways to keep everyone on track.”
With Mo Ritchie finding the net twice last week, Ollington has a host of striking options available including Hollie Jones, who is heading to Sydney for the Emerging Matildas tournament next week, Montana Leonard, who is regaining fitness after a double ACL, Dani Gunton and Lucy Smith.
“We have plenty of options,” he said. ”We just seem to struggle to get people in the right positions or haven’t been clinical enough to score enough goals.”
NPL Tasmania, Round 13
Saturday, July 12
2pm South Hobart v Riverside Olympic, D’Arcy Street
2.30pm Devonport v Clarence, Valley Road
4.30pm Kingborough v Launceston United, Lightwood Park
4.45pm Glenorchy v Launceston City, KGV
Women’s Super League, Round 14
Friday, July 11
8.15pm Glenorchy v Taroona, KGV
Saturday, July 12
11.45am South Hobart v Riverside Olympic, D’Arcy Street
12pm Kingborough v Launceston United, Lightwood Park
BYE: Devonport