With the Cup run and done for another year, attention swings back to the NPL TAS and the race to the finish line. For most sides, we are at around the halfway mark of the season so there is still a lot of water to go under the bridge just yet and plenty of opportunities for sides to rise and fall.
The action starts on Friday night with a Safari Derby between the Hobart Zebras and Kingborough Lions. With his first win as the Kinbgorough Lions new coach in the bag, Jez Kenth now turns to face a tough challenge as his Lions side take on the Hobart Zebras. The Lions have made a positive start under Kenth, pushing the Devonport Strikers before falling 3-2 in a commendable first up effort, then heading up to Riverside and claiming a 1-0 win last weekend. The win was the sides fourth of the season, but due to Launceston City's surprise win over Knights, saw them remain in 7th place. A win over the Zebras however would move them within a point of the top four, albeit having played 2 extra games. Kenth replaced Greg Calvert 3 weeks ago and has said the rest of the season is about building for next year, but that doesn't mean he isn't out for results this year. The Zebras meanwhile have a had week off to lick their wounds following their defeat to the Olympia Warriors a fortnight ago. That loss has left the Zebras sitting some 14 points off the pace, with just the 1 game in hand and has left their title aspirations looking unlikely if not impossible. With the challenging pack below them starting to play better football, it’s important they get back on track with three points on Friday night.
The Lions downed Riverside to give Kenth his first win- Solstice Photography
On Saturday the Glenorchy Knights take on Devonport at KGV, with the Strikers looking to bounce back following Monday's Cup disappointment. The mental fortitude of this Strikers playing group cannot be questioned over the past few seasons, so expect them to pick themselves right back up but this looms as a decidedly tough game. Whilst the Strikers tore the Knights apart in their earlier meeting this year at Valley Road, racing to an early 4-0 lead, this time around should be a lot closer. In Thomas Young and Tyler Harrison the Knights have potentially one of the best central defensive pairings in the league. Injuries have kept both players off the park but fit at last, they should ensure the Knights are significantly tougher to score on than they were back in early April. The presence of the Brown twins in attack certainly makes them all the more threatening. Devonport will likely have some sore bodies after Monday's gruelling cup decider, so how they recover from that looms as a decisive factor. This is going to be tough for them on the road yet again, but with the cup gone all their eggs now go into the NPL basket.
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Monday was a physically taxing game- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Finally over at Wentworth Park, the Lakoseljac Cup champions South Hobart, head to a Clarence side who have been on the receiving end of some big results against the top sides in the league recently. The 22 goals the Reds have shipped in their past 3 games isn't exactly the record you want to be boasting ahead of a game against the most free scoring side in the division. Clarence should be the fresher of the two sides though and there is always the chance of complacency coming back down from a cup final, so the Reds need to be right at them from the opening whistle. If they can keep it close for long enough, perhaps there is a physical edge to be found. However, after losing 13-0 the last time the teams met, they may just settle for a more competitive performance this time around. South have claimed the first big prize on offer for 2019, but that doesn't mean their hunger for more silverware is about to subside.
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With one trophy down, South now turn their attention to the defence of their NPL crown- Solstice Photography[/caption]
Round 15
Friday 14 June
Hobart Zebras v Kingborough Lions, 8:00pm, KGV
Saturday 15 June
Glenorchy Knights v Devonport, 3:15pm. KGV
Clarence v South Hobart, 4:30pm, Wentworth Park
