Devonport Strikers vs South Hobart
Date: Saturday June 19
Venue: Valley Road
Kick-off: 12:00 PM
2021 record Devonport Strikers: 3-0-3 (fifth in WSL) South Hobart: 3-1-4 (fourth in WSL)
Top scorers Devonport Strikers: Jazmin White (6) South Hobart: Pishon Choi (4)
Preview:
Two teams following a very similar trajectory will meet here, with South Hobart travelling north to take on the Devonport Strikers. Both sides started the season fairly well, fell into a rut, and are now looking to rebound after some promising results. The Strikers opened their season with a surprising win over the same opponent, before suffering three consecutive losses by a combined margin of nine goals. They have bounced back since then with impressive wins over Kingborough and Launceston United and they will look to keep that momentum going despite a week out of action. Jazmin White remains the focal point in attack and comfortably leads their scoring, while their defence has improved as the year has progressed highlighted by some impressive performances from goalkeeper Georgia Anderson. South's struggles have largely come down to injuries, but there have been some promising signs more recently. A 0-0 draw with the Warriors showed plenty of defensive steel, and they went one better last round with a 1-0 win over Statewide Cup finalists Launceston United. Pishon Choi scored the winning goal in that game, and without several key teammates she has grown into her expanded role with each game. Captain Eleni Moutsatsos continues to lead from the backline while organising the whole team, and she may well take on the challenge of marking White. That matchup would be the key to the game and could go a long way towards deciding the result.Key player: Bridie Cooling, South Hobart
Another impressive member of South Hobart's defence, Cooling could also spend time on the ever-dangerous White. She has proven herself as a two-way threat, able to defend well and carry the ball forward, and both will be crucial here.Clarence Zebras vs Launceston United
Date: Saturday June 19
Venue: Wentworth Park
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 record Clarence Zebras: 6-1-1 (first in WSL) Launceston United: 4-0-5 (third in WSL)
Top scorers Clarence Zebras: Allie Berry (10) Launceston United: Danielle Gunton (6)
Preview:
Launceston United are stuck in a free-fall in the WSL, and things won't get any easier in round ten as they travel south to face the high-flying Clarence Zebras. While they were gallant in defeat in the Statewide Cup final, Launceston have now lost their last four games after an impressive start to the season. That has seen them fall from the top of the ladder to now just barely clinging to third spot. With back-to-back league losses to teams below them they are in desperate need of a change, but they still have the talent on the field to match any team in the league. Jess Robinson has been one of the state's best players this year, with the likes of Jess McCallum-Smith, Madison Gilpin and Gonya Luate emerging as budding stars. While Gilpin will miss this game through injury, the rest of those players and more will need to be at their best against the ladder leaders. If they get away to a slow start, maybe that's where some experimentation can come into play to try and reverse their fortunes. There have been no such issues with form for the Zebras-- since losing in round one they have been undefeated and extremely impressive. Their last game, a 6-1 win over Olympia, stamped their papers as the title frontrunners and favourites. Allie Berry has returned to the lineup and has, quite frankly, made a mockery of anyone that has tried to defend her. Ten goals in three games is ridiculous-- she's leading the golden boot despite playing less than half the games of every player close to her on the leaderboard. Adding her to a lineup that was already jam-packed with talent makes the Zebras a very tough side to face, and it's hard to imagine them losing if she can maintain that form.Key player: Danielle Gunton, Launceston United
Gunton started the season on fire and jumped to an early lead on the goalscoring charts, but she has been blanketed by opposing defences in recent weeks. A proven scorer and quality player, it feels like a big game is just around the corner to break herself and her team out of their slump.Olympia Warriors vs Taroona FC
Date: Sunday June 20
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 record Olympia Warriors: 4-1-2 (second in WSL) Taroona FC: 1-1-5 (seventh in WSL)
Top scorer Olympia Warriors: Mia Cane (7) Taroona FC: Hannah Price/Holly Ayton/Eli Cropp/Sacha Rose/Mei Booker/Ineeka Link (1)
Preview:
Still celebrating their Statewide Cup triumph, the Warriors will look to carry that momentum into the WSL when they face Taroona on Sunday. A piece of silverware may take some attention away, but the Warriors have been in something of a slump in the recent rounds of the league. Within their last three games was a 0-0 draw against an injury-hit South Hobart and a thumping 6-1 loss to the Clarence Zebras. Despite this, they still sit clear in second place with a game in hand on most of the competition, and they remain in contention for a second consecutive WSL title. They certainly have the players to do so, with key pieces on every line and an established style of play in place. Madi Chambers continues to shine in her final season before departing for the US, and after a brace in the cup final she could be primed for another big performance here. Taroona may sit on the bottom of the table, but their form has been trending upwards as the season has progressed. A win and a draw in their last three games is reason for optimism, although those results sandwiched a 9-0 loss at the hands of the Zebras. While they lack the depth of many other squads in the league, there is certainly some top-end talent in their lineup. The likes of Eli Cropp, Isolina Ottavi and Isabella McGinn will all need to be at their absolute best if Taroona are to keep this game close and earn a result.Key player: Mia Cane, Olympia Warriors
After scoring in each of Olympia's last two WSL games, Cane remains their leading scorer and the perfect foil for their star-studded midfield. Her pace will cause plenty of issues for Taroona's defence, and if she can finish well a bag of goals could be on offer.