Clarence Zebras vs Devonport Strikers
Date: Saturday June 26
Venue: Wentworth Park
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 record Clarence Zebras: 2-1-6 (sixth in NPL TAS) Devonport Strikers: 7-1-2 (second in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Clarence Zebras: Riley Dillon (10) Devonport Strikers: Brody Denehey (10)
Preview:
While the Zebras and the Strikers sit in opposite halves of the table, there should be plenty of entertainment on offer when the league's two leading scorers go head-to-head. In the Zebras corner is Riley Dillon, who has thrived despite his team's struggles this year. He again hit the scoreboard last round, netting in stoppage time in a narrow 2-1 loss to South Hobart. Clarence have bounced back well since a 9-2 drubbing against Glenorchy, beating Olympia and narrowly losing to South, but they will face an even tougher task here. Dillon has inspired them at their attacking end, and while their defence has struggled at times they may have a chance against a Strikers side that has struggled to produce goals in the past. That hasn't been the case in recent weeks, thanks in part to the outstanding form of Brody Denehey. The dynamic forward scored a brace in last week's win over Launceston City, and he now has a remarkable seven goals in his last four NPL games. That has helped the Strikers to become the form side in the state, winning their last five league games and a Lakoseljac Cup title. What seemed like a poor start to the season is now a distant memory, and after Glenorchy's surprising draw with the Warriors they would be desperate to keep the pressure on with another win here.Key player: Kieran Mulraney, Devonport Strikers
For most of this season, Clarence's fortunes have followed Dillon's form. By that rationale, a strong showing from Mulraney could almost guarantee a Strikers win. Mulraney remains one of the best defenders and leaders in the state, and if he can play his part in negating Dillon's impact then his side will be in good stead.Launceston City vs Olympia Warriors
Date: Saturday June 26
Venue: Buckby Motors Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2021 record Launceston City: 1-1-7 (seventh in NPL TAS) Olympia Warriors: 3-2-4 (fifth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Launceston City: Yasin Mohammadi (2) Olympia Warriors: Kyle Vincent (7)
Preview:
Launceston City are making a habit of honourable losses, and they will be up against an Olympia Warriors side that has been tough to beat all season. City were admirable once again in a 2-0 loss to Devonport last week, but they are now winless in their last five games despite some promising performances. They started slowly in that game, conceding just four minutes into the contest, and they will need to rectify that against the young and energetic Warriors. They are still struggling to hit the scoreboard, with just six goals across the season and three in those last five games. Yasin Mohammadi remains their most consistent creative outlet, but they need to find a reliable finisher from somewhere if they want to win games like these against capable defensive teams. The Warriors looked set to drop towards the bottom of the ladder this season, but despite one of the youngest lineups in the league they have remained competitive in most games. Last round was another example of this, as they recovered from a 2-0 deficit inside the first ten minutes to hold Glenorchy to a draw at Warrior Park. They are a strong side at home, but the trip to Buckby Motors Park will be an interesting test as they look to vault into the top four. Their backline was superbly led by goalkeeper Jake Hayers last week, and they would be eager to record their first clean sheet of the season against a team that struggles to score goals.Key player: Lachlan Clark, Launceston City
Clark has established himself as one of the best glovemen in the state, and he was outstanding once again last round. Playing in a low-scoring side, he will need to be on form once again if they want to steal a win.Glenorchy Knights vs Riverside Olympic
Date: Saturday June 26
Venue: KGV
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2021 record Glenorchy Knights: 7-2-0 (first in NPL TAS) Riverside Olympic: 0-2-7 (eighth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Glenorchy Knights: Nick Mearns (7) Riverside Olympic: Fletcher Fulton (5)
Preview:
Two teams from the opposite ends of the table will clash at KGV, but both the Glenorchy Knights and Riverside Olympic would be desperate to reverse their form with a win. The Knights are still flying high in the NPL TAS, undefeated and on top of the table, but their form has wavered slightly in the last two weeks. A heartbreaking loss in the Lakoseljac Cup final was a heavy blow, and last week's 2-2 draw with Olympia was a surprising slip-up in the league. Still, they are sitting on top of the table with a game in hand over the second-placed Strikers, and they would be hoping to find their feet again against a winless opponent here. They remain the most talented attacking team in the competition, with Nick Mearns (seven goals), Austin Yost (six) and Nic Naden (five) all among the leading goalscorers. That wealth of talent may overwhelm Riverside on its own. The visitors are still searching for their first win of the season, and they possibly should have had one in a truly bizarre encounter last round. A 4-1 lead at home had them within touching distance of a victory over the Lions, but three red cards left them just barely hanging on for a draw. The ensuing suspensions to Tom Prince, Fletcher Fulton and Todd Mitchell. Their free-flowing and attacking style was on display early against the Lions, but missing their two top scorers in Fulton and Prince this week, it's hard to imagine they can replicate that effort.Key player: Will Ferrall, Riverside Olympic
The young goalkeeper has been thrown in the deep end in recent weeks, but he hasn't looked out of place early in his senior career. Some impressive saves last week helped to earn his side a point, and he will be busy once again here.Kingborough Lions vs South Hobart
Date: Saturday June 26
Venue: Lightwood Park
Kick-off: 6:30 PM
2021 record Kingborough Lions: 5-1-4 (fourth in NPL TAS) South Hobart: 6-2-1 (third in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Kingborough Lions: Adam McKeown (8) South Hobart: Nick Morton (8)
Preview:
The Kingborough Lions narrowly avoided defeat last week, and they will look to do so again against a much more dangerous South Hobart side. It was a near-disaster for the Lions at Windsor Park last round, falling behind 4-1 to the last-placed and winless Riverside. Some late carnage saw them salvage a draw, but their performance was still a far cry from what would have been expected of them pre-season. They now have just one win in their last five games, which has seen them fall well behind the top three on the table. Adam McKeown has been slowed somewhat with some extra defensive attention, and that has exposed a void in their attacking stocks behind him. Ben Hamlett is, in theory, a perfect foil, but he has not played every week, with their few other goals coming from the midfield. As has been the case for some time, McKeown will need to fire if they are to be a chance here. It feels like South have been a more potent attacking side, and yet they have score just three more goals than the Lions and have been similarly reliant on one player in captain Nick Morton. The difference is, it's easy to see where the extra support may come from on their list. Kasper Hallam has been down on last year's production, but with a brace last week he looks set to explode into the second half of the season. They were still only able to draw with the Clarence Zebras, losing further ground to the Strikers ahead of them, and they would be desperate to bounce back with a big win on the road.Key player: Nick Morton, South Hobart
Morton has always given the Lions plenty of issues, and there's no reason to think he won't produce again here. Expect to see his name on the scoresheet by the end of the 90 minutes.