Devonport Strikers vs Riverside Olympic
Date: Saturday September 19
Venue: Valley Road
Kick-off: 2:15 PM
2020 record: Devonport: 7-1-0 (first in NPL TAS) Riverside: 1-2-5 (seventh in NPL TAS)
Last time they met: Riverside 0-1 Devonport
Preview:
It’s a daunting trip to Valley Road for Riverside Olympic, as they meet the league leaders on the back of four losses in their last five games. The one result in that time, a draw with the Zebras, was a real opportunity missed to claw their way away from the foot of the table. Giving up three goals in that game was typical of their season—even when they have managed to hit the scoreboard, their league-high 20 goals against has left them sinking more often than swimming. That will be an issue against a Strikers side that looks to have rediscovered their ruthless edge after a decisive 4-1 win against South Hobart a week ago. Those four goals came on a day where Miles Barnard was an unused substitute and top scorer Brody Denehey was barely sighted. Where they were grinding out results early in the season, such as their 1-0 win in their last matchup with Riverside, the defending champions are now keeping their foot on the throttle for the full 90 minutes. That should be a concern for the rest of the league, and especially their opponents this week.
Key player: Eddie Bidwell, Devonport Striker
It’s impossible to look past Bidwell after a man-of-the-match performance against South Hobart. His two-way running saw him involved in every play at both ends of the field, and some clinical finishing saw him claim a brace and ensure that the win was never in doubt. A similar performance in round nine could be even more damaging against the league’s leakiest defence.
Launceston City vs South Hobart
Date: Saturday September 19
Venue: Buckby Land Rover Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2020 record: Launceston City: 0-1-7 (eighth in NPL TAS) South Hobart: 4-0-4 (fifth in NPL TAS)
Last time they met: South Hobart 3-2 Launceston City
Preview:
Still searching for their first win, Launceston City will host a South Hobart side still reeling from a thumping loss last round. South became the latest mid-table team to hit a mini-slump in form, with losses to Devonport and Olympia curtailing the momentum they had built. While the trip north is never a pleasant experience, this game could be the perfect opportunity to rediscover their winning ways. Their younger players remain a barometer, and the likes of Kasper Hallam, Sam Berezansky and Bradley Lakoseljac would be hoping to work their magic against their last-placed opponent. City are still searching for their first win, but last week’s performance against Kingborough would surely give them a little hope heading into the second half of the season. They led for almost an hour before two late goals saw them steal defeat from the jaws of victory. Samuel Ridgard’s continued strong form is a big plus, as he added to his tally with a stunning goal that could have easily been a match-winner. A little more support for the skipper could see them surprise a few teams.
Key player: Andy Brennan, South Hobart
Brennan’s best form in Tasmania is the benchmark for players in the state, but he has been a long way from that standard so far this season. A lovely assist late last week was a glimpse into the past, and both he and South would be hoping it is a sign of things to come. This game shapes as a chance for him to find his feet once again.
Glenorchy Knights vs Kingborough Lions
Date: Saturday September 19
Venue: KGV Football Park
Kick-off: 4:30 PM
2020 record: Glenorchy: 6-0-2 (second in NPL TAS) Kingborough: 4-3-1 (third in NPL TAS)
Last time they met: Kingborough 2-0 Glenorchy
Preview:
Kingborough have managed to hang around on the fringes of the title race, and they will have the chance to draw level with Glenorchy in second with a win on Saturday. Consistency has been an issue for Jez Kenth’s side, with a 5-0 loss to South and an underwhelming draw with Riverside early in the season followed by a much more impressive showing to steal points from the Strikers. At the end of the day, they have just one loss and they continue to grind out results that keep their point total ticking over. Their reliance on veteran Adam Mckeown for goals would be concerning if he weren’t delivering almost every week, with a match-winning brace last round taking him to the top of the goalscoring leaderboard. Unlike the Lions, Glenorchy have no shortage of avenues to goal and they continue to lead the league in scoring. Alex Walter is the latest Knight to hit a purple patch of form, netting three times in their last two games, and with Joffrey Nkoso also playing well it’s hard to imagine any team totally shutting this side out. This matchup could be decided by the backlines and how they manage to hold up under pressure.
Key player: Lee Mackie, Kingborough Lions
Playing his first season in the top flight, Mackie has done an admirable job between the posts for the Lions. He kept an impressive clean sheet last time these two sides met, and he will need to be at his best once again if the Knights are on song.
Olympia Warriors vs Clarence Zebras
Date: Saturday September 19
Venue: Warrior Park
Kick-off: 6:30 PM
2020 record: Olympia: 4-1-3 (fourth in NPL TAS) Clarence: 1-2-5 (sixth in NPL TAS)
Last time they met: Clarence 1-0 Olympia
Preview:
The Warriors are really rolling now, undefeated in their last five games with a plus-eight goal difference, and they will surely fancy their chances against a Zebras side still struggling for form. Olympia were already finding some form before their coaching change, but they have seemingly gone to another level again in the time since. The absence of Jack Ryan certainly didn’t slow them down last week, with a trio of goals from less-than-likely sources in Yost, Vandermey and Hill. That kind of threat from across the park is what has made them such a dangerous side in recent years, and with the added threat of the Brown brothers this season they could be set for a late surge up the ladder. Clarence Zebras, meanwhile, are still searching for a reliable source of goals with just nine in their eight games this season. It’s certainly not just the forward group to blame, with the entire team inexperience and under the pump across the entire field. It’s hard to see them pushing the Warriors in this one, but that was also the case in round one when the Zebras claimed a landmark first win.
Key player: Jayden Hey, Clarence Zebras
It’s an obvious thing to say, but Hey will once again shoulder a huge burden in this matchup. He remains their engine both in attack and defence, and he will need to drag his teammates along with him.