South Hobart vs Clarence Zebras
Date: Saturday October 17
Venue: Darcy Street
Kick-off: 2:00 PM
2020 record South Hobart: 6-1-5 (fourth in NPL TAS) Clarence Zebras: 3-2-7 (sixth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers South Hobart: Kasper Hallam/Nick Morton (7) Clarence Zebras: Riley Dillon (4)
Last time they met: Clarence Zebras 0-1 South Hobart
Preview:
South Hobart jumped back past Kingborough and into fourth place with their win at The Den last week, and they could potentially move to third with the right results this round. To do that, they will need to overcome a Clarence Zebras side that very nearly stole a shock win over the undefeated Strikers last round. While the Zebras ultimately fell 2-1, it was a gallant effort on the league’s toughest away trip, and it should give them some confidence heading into the final two rounds of the season. Their attacking play has certainly improved as the season has progressed, with nine goals in their last four games matching the nine they scored in their first eight league fixtures. The issues may come at the other end, where South’s potent front line will cause plenty of headaches. Nick Morton has been in outstanding form, and his brace last round showed what he can do if given a centimetre of space around goal. If Kasper Hallam is judged to be fit enough to return to the starting lineup, there may be too much firepower for Clarence to handle.
Key player: Luke Huigsloot, Clarence Zebras
Both goals conceded by South last round were Adam Mckeown headers, and Huigsloot represents an even larger threat in the air. He has had a relatively quiet season, but he could cause some issues for an undersized South backline.
Devonport Strikers vs Launceston City
Date: Saturday October 17
Venue: Valley Road
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2020 record Devonport Strikers: 11-1-0 (first in NPL TAS) Launceston City: 1-1-10 (eighth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Devonport Strikers: Brody Denehey (5) Launceston City: Samuel Ridgard (6)
Last time they met: Launceston City 1-2 Devonport Strikers
Preview:
One point. That is all the Strikers need here, as a draw will see them clinch the NPL Tasmania title for a third straight season. On paper that should be simple as they face last-placed Launceston City at their Valley Road fortress. Very few games have been easy for Devonport this season, though, with eight of their eleven wins coming with a one goal margin. Their last meeting with Launceston City, a narrow 2-1 win back in round two, was no exception. Such close results could be chalked up to good fortune if not for the fact that they remain undefeated and continue to find ways to win every single week. With a rock-solid backline led by Kieran Mulraney and the imperious Nathan Pitchford in goal they have looked largely untroubled at that end of the field all season. That should continue against a City side that has struggled to find an attacking threat outside of captain Samuel Ridgard, who has scored almost half of their 13 goals for the season. City’s derby win a fortnight ago showcased their potential, with young gun Noah Mies returning to the scoresheet after a tough season to date. If the rest of the form guide is to be trusted, last round’s 4-0 loss to Olympia was a return to the mean, and this week could be an even tougher task.
Key player: Miles Barnard, Devonport Strikers
The Fox in the Box has spent most of the season in hibernation, but he re-emerged with a brace last round to will his team to a win over the Zebras. After playing such a huge role in their last two titles, it would be fitting if he could seal the three-peat with a strong performance here.
Riverside Olympic vs Kingborough Lions
Date: Saturday October 17
Venue: Windsor Park
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2020 record Riverside Olympic: 1-2-9 (seventh in NPL TAS) Kingborough Lions: 5-3-4 (fifth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Riverside Olympic: Nil Sanz (5) Kingborough Lions: Adam Mckeown (8)
Last time they met: Kingborough Lions 3-3 Riverside Olympic
Preview:
This could be a danger game for the Lions—they have struggled for consistency after looking like genuine contenders early in the season, and they will travel north to face a Riverside team that showed plenty of promising signs last round. While a pair of late goals made the result look much more lopsided, Riverside were the better team in the first half against the Knights and competed until the final whistle. Nil Sanz and Fletcher Fulton are a dynamic one-two punch when attacking down the wings, and Sanz in particular could pose plenty of questions here with the ball at his feet. Finishing has been their problem all season, with just 13 goals in 12 games, and that continued to be the case last round. Someone will need to step up and make the most of their chances if they want to end the season on a high. The Lions have found their finisher in Adam Mckeown, but his brace last round wasn’t enough to save them from a 3-2 loss to South Hobart. Their defensive issues have come to the fore recently, as they have conceded 14 goals in their last four games. Young goalkeeper Jake Hayers has shown flashes of potential since being inserted into the lineup, but as he continues to learn he will need plenty of support from his more experienced back four.
Key player: Keenan Douce, Kingborough Lions
The Lions skipper led from the front as they mounted a late comeback against South, assisting both goals to Mckeown with beautiful delivery from the right. He remains their most dangerous player with his drive down the wing, and he could run riot against the league’s leakiest defence.
Olympia Warriors vs Glenorchy Knights
Date: Saturday October 17
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2020 record Olympia Warriors: 6-1-5 (third in NPL TAS) Glenorchy Knights: 9-1-2 (second in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Olympia Warriors: Jack Ryan/Callum Brown/Declan Brown (6) Glenorchy Knights: Alex Walter (12)
Last time they met: Glenorchy Knights 3-1 Olympia Warriors
Preview:
The league’s two best attacks will face off for the last time this season when the Glenorchy Knights travel to Warrior Park to take on Olympia. With 63 goals between them this campaign, it is safe to assume there will be goals aplenty in this game to close out round 13. At the time of writing Glenorchy are still a mathematical chance to win the title, and they will know before kick-off if that is still the case pending the result of Devonport’s game against Launceston City. Either way, it has been an outstanding season for them, and a pair of wins to finish it would rubber-stamp their credentials in the league’s upper echelon. They looked lethargic in the first half against Riverside last round, but a much better showing after the break would have left coach James Sherman happier as they ran away with the game late. They can’t afford to start slowly again this round, as the Warriors are a team capable of punishing the smallest mistakes and building a lead in a hurry. After a brief lull following Jack Ryan’s departure they have found their shooting boots once more with 11 goals in their last three games. While the senior players have stepped up, it was young guns Austin Yost and Anthony Mamic providing a spark last round in a promising sign for the future. If their fringe players continue to fire in the last two rounds they could be set to finish the season with a flourish.
Key player: Joffrey Nkoso, Glenorchy Knights
While Nkoso has looked as smooth as ever with the ball at his feet, his final delivery has been a little more wayward in recent weeks. He is due for a trademark game-breaking performance, and with the title potentially on the line this game could be the perfect opportunity against his former side.