Devonport Strikers vs South Hobart
Date: Saturday March 27
Venue: Valley Road
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2021 record: Devonport Strikers: 1-0-0 (fourth in NPL TAS) South Hobart: 1-0-0 (first in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Devonport Strikers: Nick Lanau-Atkinson (1) South Hobart: Nick Morton (2)
Preview:
South Hobart had the biggest win of the week in round one, but they will face the league's toughest test as they take on Devonport at their Valley Road fortress. For years opposing teams have found it near impossible to score at the ground, but on paper South might have the personnel to change that. They put six goals past the Zebras with five different scorers, with almost every player across the park a threat to score. Sam Berezansky was best on ground in that game, and he leads a young brigade with pace to burn. That speed could trouble Devonport's backline, but it's hard to have any doubts about a group that has comfortably dealt with every challenge over the past three years. They were at their suffocating best against Launceston City last week, scoring just a single goal but claiming yet another clean sheet. Their back four is superbly led by Kieran Mulraney, and even when that line is breached, they have the best goalkeeper in the state in Nathan Pitchford backing them up. This will be a fascinating battle between attack and defence, and it's hard to see such a good defence losing out.Key player: Eddie Bidwell, Devonport Strikers
The one knock on the Strikers last year was their inability to score goals at times, and that problem loomed again in round one. The defending champions should score more than one goal against the wooden spooners, and they will need to score more against teams like South. Bidwell brings a ton of energy and pace on the wing, and he is the type of dynamic player that could get the Strikers out of that rut himself or by setting up his teammates.Olympia Warriors vs Riverside Olympic
Date: Saturday March 27
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
Venue: Warrior Park
2021 record: Olympia Warriors: 0-0-1 (sixth in NPL TAS) Riverside Olympic: 0-0-1 (seventh in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Olympia Warriors: N/A Riverside Olympic: Tom Prince (1)
Preview:
With a very young lineup, the Warriors were gallant in round one but ultimately fell just short against Glenorchy. They played a very defensive game in that matchup, but they may have a little more freedom to attack here as they host Riverside. Coach Rob Clarke set a deep defensive line against a dangerous Knights attack, and it will be interesting to see if he adjusts that gameplan against an opposition with less options in the front third. Led brilliantly by debutant Ben Tilley last week, they would also be hoping to regain regular captain Jake Vandermey for some much-needed experience. Riverside also looked solid defensively for much of their opening game, but one goalkeeping mistake and another very late goal saw them go down 3-1 to the Lions. They showed promising signs last season and in that first outing, but after fielding a young team over the past few years they would be hoping to convert that promise into more positive results. If they are to take a step forward this year, this is the type of game they need to win.Key player: Fletcher Fulton, Riverside Olympic
Fulton was a revelation last season, working in tandem with Nil Sanz to wreak havoc in the second half of the season. Sanz is no longer with the team, and so Fulton will need to shoulder more of the responsibility. He was impressive again last week, and against an inexperienced backline he could be tough to contain.Launceston City vs Kingborough Lions
Date: Saturday March 27
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
Venue: Buckby Motors Park
2021 record: Launceston City: 0-0-1 (fifth in NPL TAS) Kingborough Lions: 1-0-0 (second in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Launceston City: N/A Kingborough Lions: Adam McKeown (2)
Preview:
After finishing in last place a year ago and entering the season without a permanent coach, expectations were low for Launceston City ahead of round one. That's why a 1-0 loss to the Strikers was a pleasant surprise, and they will be looking to do even better and get a result against the Summer Cup champion Kingborough Lions. Current coach Lino Sciulli praised his side for the fight they showed, and with one of the youngest lineups in the league, that fighting spirit is a trait that will be needed week in and week out. There is undeniable quality in their lineup too, with the likes of Yasin Mohammadi and Matty Oh capable of providing a spark on their day. They will be up against it, though, against a Lions lineup packed with experience and full of confidence. An undefeated pre-season and a round one win has them looking like title contenders, but they were prone to the occasional slip-up last season in games like this one. Adding the veteran presence of Kobe Kemp should settle some of those nerves, and there will be no excuses this year after such a strong start.Key player: Jack Turner, Kingborough Lions
After spending multiple seasons away from The Den, Turner has returned and slotted into the midfield seamlessly. He is a proven match-winner and a physical presence, and against a young City lineup he should be able to control the game through the middle of the park.Glenorchy Knights vs Clarence Zebras
Date: Saturday March 27
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
Venue: KGV Football Park
2021 record: Glenorchy Knights: 1-0-0 (third in NPL TAS) Clarence Zebras: 0-0-1 (eighth in NPL TAS)
Top scorers: Glenorchy Knights: Alex Walter (1) Clarence Zebras: Riley Dillon/Matt Pace (1)
Preview:
The Knights were far from their high-scoring best in round one, but they will have a chance to remedy that against a Zebras side that gave up six goals in their opening game. Glenorchy coach James Sherman was disappointed with his side's execution against the Warriors, and he said that "it should have been five or six [goals]". It's hard to disagree with him there; against an extremely young side, it was surprising to see his attack boasting Alex Walter, Joffrey Nkoso and Nic Naden score just one goal. Of course, it had to be Golden Boot winner Walter that broke the deadlock and won them the game, and it's tough to imagine the Zebras will be able to contain him. Losing Jayden Hey was a huge blow to a backline that already gave up the equal-second most goals in 2020, and it showed last round as they conceded six against South Hobart. Senior players Riley Dillon and Matt Pace both hit the scoreboard and will need to do so with consistency, but this side's real issues will come at the other end of the field. That it especially true in this matchup, and they will have to improve to avoid another big loss.Key player: Joffrey Nkoso, Glenorchy Knights
If the Zebras choose to lock down on one player, it's likely to be Walter. That could leave Nkoso to run riot from the wing, and he is a devastating player when given that chance. With the ability to take players on and shoot from anywhere, he could find plenty of goals on offer here.