Olympia Warriors vs Devonport Strikers
Date: Saturday July 3
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick-off: 12:00 PM
2021 record Olympia Warriors: 5-2-2 (second in WSL) Devonport Strikers: 4-0-4 (fourth in WSL)
Top scorers Olympia Warriors: Mia Cane (8) Devonport Strikers: Jazmin White (8)
Preview:
One week on from a thumping loss, the Devonport Strikers will face another tough task when they again travel south to face the Olympia Warriors at Warrior Park. The Warriors were winners over South Hobart last round, and that snapped them out of a mini-slump that had seen them draw with last-placed Taroona and lose 6-1 to the Zebras in consecutive weeks. It may have only been two weeks, but that was enough to see them slip eight points behind the ladder leaders with a game in hand. Suddenly, games like this are must-win if they hope to defend their title. The Strikers showed off their attacking firepower in a brief fightback last round, but with Kate Ollerhead and Natalia Leszczynski anchoring Olympia's defence they have conceded just 14 goals this season, the least in the MyState Women's Super League. Their talent in the attacking third always makes headlines, but if the Warriors are to make a charge for top spot their defence could be the key, and that starts this week. The Strikers fought hard last round but were eventually overrun by the league leaders. Maddy Payne scored a brace in a very impressive performance, but they conceded eight goals in a concerning defensive effort. That blew out their season stats somewhat, but they have now allowed the second-most goals of any side. Payne and Jazmin White will always score enough goals to keep games interesting, but unless they can shore up their defence they may be destined to stay mid-table or below. That goes doubly against a side with as much quality in attack as the Warriors.Key player: Mia Cane, Olympia Warriors
Cane is Olympia's leading scorer for a reason, and her pace and finishing ability should see her wreak havoc in this matchup. Don't be surprised to see her on the scoresheet more than once by the end of the game.Launceston United vs Taroona FC
Date: Saturday July 3
Venue: WMPS Park
Kick-off: 1:00 PM
2021 record Launceston United: 4-0-7 (third in WSL) Taroona FC: 1-2-5 (seventh in WSL)
Top scorers Launceston United: Danielle Gunton (6) Taroona FC: Eli Cropp (2)
Preview:
Taroona have been the most improved team by a wide margin this season, and they will face a Launceston United side that in the midst of a horrific form slump. United have now lost five consecutive games, and that has seen them slide from title contention into a battle to stay in the top five. Maybe this is a regression to the mean for a team that blew away expectations early in the season, but those results to open the year showed what they are capable of. With the likes of Jess Robinson, Danielle Gunton and Gonya Luate still present and playing well, there's no reason to think they can't get back to that form. Gunton in particular will be a real handful for a Taroona side that has leaked goals this season-- while she herself is in a scoring dry spell, that's bound to change sooner rather than later. This game could be the perfect opportunity for United to work back towards their best, or it could be another low point in their poor run. Taroona's last four weeks of play has showcased their progress, with a win over South Hobart and draws with Kingborough and Olympia opening their account in impressive fashion. They come into this game with the better form chart, and they would fancy their chances of adding to their points tally. Eli Cropp has shown her quality in recent weeks and led from the front, but she has been ably supported and far from a lone hand. They would almost be favoured in this game if it was at their Kelvedon Park fortress, but a trip to Launceston and WMPS Park could be a challenge for a side that hasn't visited the north of the state yet this season.Key player: Isolina Ottavi, Taroona FC
The Taroona goalkeeper has been one of their best performers this season, and she will have her hands full once again here. If she can keep Gunton, Robinson and the like at bay, her side will have a good shot here.Kingborough Lions vs Clarence Zebras
Date: Sunday July 4
Venue: Lightwood Park
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 record Kingborough Lions: 3-2-3 (fifth in WSL) Clarence Zebras: 8-1-1 (first in WSL)
Top scorers Kingborough Lions: Laura Davis (7) Clarence Zebras: Allie Berry (12)
Preview:
The Lions claimed a much-needed win last round, but they will face a much tougher task here against the ladder-leading Clarence Zebras. Kingborough proved to be too strong for Launceston United a week ago, claiming a 3-1 victory at home. What was promising was that they did so with three different scorers, none of whom were Laura Davis. The star striker is having another impressive season with seven goals, but the Lions have long struggled to give her enough support in the attacking third. Danielle Kannegiesser has played well in patches this year but admitted herself pre-game that she had not at the level she like, so it was encouraging to see her hit the scoresheet again last week. The Lions haven't been terrible defensively either, but against the Zebras their backline will be stretched to its limits and will need to hold strong if they are to be any chance. That's because Clarence have scored 46 goals from their ten games this season, more than double the total of any other team. Allie Berry returned mid-season and is now comfortably leading the golden boot race, and they have nine players with multiple goals this year. Last week showed perfectly what the Zebras are capable of; they weren't perfect defensively and conceded three times, and yet they still won by five goals. With so much attacking firepower and every player seemingly in top form, its hard to see them losing any time soon.Key player: Louisa Marmion, Clarence Zebras
A brace last week made it three goals in as many games for Marmion, and she has quickly emerged as yet another weapon for the Zebras. With so many big names to keep the Lions defenders occupied she could find herself in plenty of scoring positions yet again.