South Hobart vs Riverside Olympic
Date: Saturday October 24
Venue: Darcy Street
Kick-off: 2:00 PM
2020 record South Hobart: 7-1-5 (third in NPL TAS) Riverside Olympic: 2-2-9 (seventh in NPL TAS)
Top scorers South Hobart: Kasper Hallam/Nick Morton (7) Riverside Olympic: Nil Sanz (6)
Last time they met: Riverside Olympic 1-2 South Hobart
Preview:
South have strengthened their grip on third place as the season winds down, but they will face a Riverside team that is arguably in their best form of the year. After pushing the Knights for most of the game in round 12, Riverside celebrated their final home game with an emphatic 3-0 win over Kingborough. They lost Liam Gilmore to an unfortunate injury in that game, but the rest of their young core looks to finally be finding their groove. Nil Sanz and Fletcher Fulton in particular were lively once again as they both hit the scoreboard and helped build an unassailable lead. South were even more ruthless in their clash with the Zebras, grabbing an early advantage and never looking back in a 5-0 drubbing. As their forwards have found form over the course of the season, their depth has become apparent—Andy Brennan put in a strong performance but was substituted at half time, and his replacement off the bench was leading scorer Kasper Hallam. With Nick Morton pulling the strings brilliantly, they may have too much talent in the final third for Riverside’s defence to handle.
Key player: Mark Moncur, South Hobart
It has been an impressive season for the South gloveman—while Nathan Reid has stepped into the side on occasion, Moncur has marshalled their defence brilliantly while displaying sharp reflexes at close range. With Riverside’s attacking threat growing late in the season he will likely be put under some pressure here, but he is more than capable of handling it.
Glenorchy Knights vs Devonport Strikers
Date: Saturday October 24
Venue: KGV Football Park
Kick-off: 2:30 PM
2020 record Glenorchy Knights: 10-1-2 (second in NPL TAS) Devonport Strikers: 12-1-0 (first in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Glenorchy Knights: Alex Walter (12) Devonport Strikers: Brody Denehey (5)
Last time they met: Devonport Strikers 1-0 Glenorchy Knights
Preview:
The Devonport Strikers may have already claimed the title, but there is still enough to play for here to keep things interesting. After all, the Strikers’ undefeated season is still on the line, and the Knights can claim bragging rights over the champions until round one next year with a win. It was another narrow escape for the champions last round, with a 1-0 win over last-placed Launceston City coming via a penalty from Raph Reynolds. That’s now nine wins by just one goal this season, and it bizarrely leaves them trailing the Knights on goal difference by a whopping eleven goals. It seems silly to question their form, though, given their unblemished record. Their defence has been flawless, with just eight goals conceded across the season, and that should make this a titanic battle with Glenorchy’s dynamic front line. Alex Walter has taken on the brunt of the scoring load and looks certain to win the golden boot, but it’s their creativity across the board that has seen them fly up the ladder this season. Cade Smith has been a revelation playing opposite Joffrey Nkoso on the wings, and that pace wide may cause some issues for the Strikers.
Key player: Joffrey Nkoso, Glenorchy Knights
The Knights looked to isolate Nkoso in their last meeting and it was effective early, as he used his pace with the ball at his feet to consistently threaten the defence. It was ultimately fruitless, though, as the Knights were held scoreless; can they find reward on the scoresheet this time around?
Kingborough Lions vs Olympia Warriors
Date: Saturday October 24
Venue: Lightwood Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2020 record Kingborough Lions: 5-3-5 (fifth in NPL TAS) Olympia Warriors: 6-1-6 (fourth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Kingborough Lions: Adam Mckeown (8) Olympia Warriors: Jack Ryan/Callum Brown/Declan Brown (6)
Last time they met: Olympia Warriors 3-3 Kingborough Lions
Preview:
A season that began with such promise for the Lions sees them sitting in the bottom half of the table with one game left. While it’s not the title they would have been hoping for early, they could climb to fourth with a win over the Warriors here. Poor recent form has seen their standing slide, with four losses from their last five outings. They clearly have the talent to challenge any side, though, given they are still the only team to take points from the Strikers this season. With plenty of midfield creativity and a proven scorer in Adam Mckeown, they should threaten a Warriors defence that has given up the most among the top four sides. Olympia have been a mixed bag all season long and their record tells the story of that yo-yo form. What is undeniable is the attacking talent that they possess, with the Brown brothers finding their feet as the season has progressed and a handful of academy players making an impact. They were disappointing in a loss to the Knights last week, but with ladder position still on the line here it would be surprising if they didn’t bounce back.
Key player: Austin Yost, Olympia Warriors
Yost showed glimpses of potential last year, and he has turned that into a regular starting role late in the season. With a thumping shot and the ability to make plays for others, he is an attacking spark capable of lighting on any given day.
Clarence Zebras vs Launceston City
Date: Saturday October 24
Venue: Wentworth Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2020 record Clarence Zebras: 3-2-8 (sixth in NPL TAS) Launceston City: 1-1-11 (eighth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers Clarence Zebras: Riley Dillon (4) Launceston City: Samuel Ridgard (6)
Last time they met: Launceston City 2-2 Clarence Zebras
Preview:
In a round where the title has already been decided, this game has the least riding on its outcome. Launceston can’t move from last place, and the Zebras also can’t climb any higher than their current position. Still, there will be plenty of pride on the line and bragging rights are still up for grabs after a 2-2 draw in their last meeting. It took some heroics from Lachlan Clark in goal, but Launceston would surely still take some confidence from their close 1-0 loss against the undefeated Strikers. Their biggest issues lie at the other end of the field, with just 13 goals for the season and six of them scored by captain Samuel Ridgard. This is the final chance for the rest of their attack to break the chains, and they will have every chance against a team that has let in a league-high 32 goals from their 13 games. Clarence looked to be finding some form in the second half of the season, but three consecutive losses has halted their progress. Still, it has been an encouraging first campaign for the league’s newest club, and they would be eager to finish it on a high note.
Key player: Jayden Hey, Clarence Zebras
Hey is an exceptional talent and more than capable of making plays with the ball at his feet. Against South last week, he was a little too reliant on keeping the ball right there for long periods. It’s tough with a younger team around him, but a low-stakes game like this is the perfect chance to make plays for his teammates and see what they can do.