Preview: 2021 Summer Cup Finals

Women's Summer Cup: Kingborough Lions vs Olympia Warriors

Kick-off: 2:30 PM Road to the final: Kingborough Lions: vs New Town Eagles 16-0, vs South Hobart 4-1, vs Clarence Zebras 3-0 Olympia Warriors: BYE, vs Glenorchy Knights 4-0, vs Taroona 3-0 Top scorers: Kingborough Lions: Laura Davis (9 goals) Olympia Warriors: Mia Cane (3 goals) Last time they met: Women’s Super League 2020, round 15: Kingborough Lions 1-10 Olympia Warriors (Davies 6, Bomford 2, Chambers 2) Preview: Could this game signal a changing of the guard in the Women’s Super League? Maybe it’s not quite that dramatic, but Kingborough will surely be keen to make a statement against the defending champion Olympia Warriors. Having already knocked off the Clarence Zebras, last season’s runners-up, in their final pool game, the Lions will now turn their attention to an even bigger scalp and a trophy to boot. They haven’t put a foot wrong thus far, beating the Zebras and South Hobart by three goals each and destroying the New Town Eagles to sit atop the standings. With some tough seasons behind them, the club’s investment in youth is paying off with Young Matildas invitees Kate Bonnertz-Benn, Holly Bonnertz-Benn and Eloise Paine all starring on a consistent basis. As their young stars continue to rise, the Lions have given them some added support over the offseason by recruiting a pair of established guns. Danielle Kanegiesser established herself as one of the competition’s finest forwards with the Zebras, capable of turning a match on its head with one swing of her boot or playing a supporting role to her teammates. Joining her in the switch to The Den has been Bronte Gadon, with the two already playing a big role in Kingborough’s run to the final. Adding such class to an attack already featuring goalscoring machine Laura Davis has paid dividends in his tournament, with Davis scoring nine goals and the Lions never looking like losing. That could all change so quickly, though, when faced with the irresistible force that is the Olympia Warriors. While it was a close title race in the WSL last season, the Warriors looked near unstoppable when at their attacking best. They have seen plenty of turnover in the offseason, with the likes of Sophie Leszczynski, Caitlin Roberts, Raiah Collins, Maddie Black and Olivia Bomford all completing moves to interstate clubs, as well as the retirement of goalkeeper Jenna Farrow. That speaks volumes to the development program that Olympia have in place, and their depth has been on show as they have continued their winning ways despite those losses. With reigning Player of the Year Innocent Michael and Golden Boot winner Bonnie Davies both returning, they still have more than enough firepower to trouble even the best teams in their path. They were able to cruise past both Taroona and Glenorchy in the group stage without too much trouble, and though they will face a much tougher opponent in the final, it’s hard to doubt a team with so many credentials to back up their claims as the best in the state. Key player: Bonnie Davies, Olympia Warriors Could it really be anyone else? After a ridiculous 2020 campaign which saw her net 31 goals, Davies rolled into the new season with a lazy brace against Taroona. With raw pace and the skills to match, she is almost impossible to stop. The Lions will need to contain her somewhat if they want to have any chance of claiming the trophy.

NPL Summer Cup: Kingborough Lions vs South Hobart

Kick-off: 5:00 PM Road to the final: Kingborough Lions: W @ Clarence Zebras 1-2, W vs Olympia Warriors 6-0, W @ Launceston City 0-3 South Hobart: W vs Riverside Olympic 8-1, BYE, W vs Glenorchy Knights 3-2 Top scorers: Kingborough Lions: Kobe Kemp/Ben Hamlett (3 goals) South Hobart: Kasper Hallam (4 goals) Last time they met: NPL Tasmania 2020, round 12: Kingborough Lions 2-3 South Hobart Preview: After finishing last season inside the top four but out of the title race, both Kingborough and South Hobart will be looking to start their season with a bang and some early silverware. It was a busy offseason for the Lions, with a number of key re-signings boosted by several new additions from their NPL rivals. There has been an immediate impact from those fresh faces too, with Kobe Kemp and Ben Hamlett both netting three times in the group stages to lead their new side to a trio of wins. With those two joining Adam McKeown (eight goals in NPL TAS 2020), a healthy Shane Cartwright and a swag of goalscoring midfielders, they have already proven to be a handful for opposing backlines. 11 goals in three games tells the story, and South’s defence will be under pressure from the opening whistle. Lions Coach Jez Kenth has started something of a resurgence at Lightwood Park, but his side tailed off late last season after hanging near the top of the table through the early rounds. Some added depth this year should help on that front, and winning the club’s first senior trophy since 2012 would be huge boost to their confidence. With a lineup packed full of big-game experience, they will surely fancy their chances. Speaking of big game experience, South Hobart coach Ken Morton enters his 14^th season in charge of the club with one of the most jam-packed trophy cases in Australian football. A Summer Cup final may not be the biggest occasion he has faced, but it is certainly one that he will have his young charges ready for as they continue to develop together. They showed their class in a win over Riverside, while a last-gasp victory over last season’s runners-up, the Glenorchy Knights, was a huge statement ahead of the season proper. Pre-season games tend to produce mistakes, and therefore goals aplenty, so holding the freewheeling Knights to just two goals was an impressive effort. South’s young stars now boast plenty of experience themselves after several seasons playing in the top flight. Their youth pathways have been lauded for many years, and the likes of Kasper Hallam, Sam Berezansky and Bradley Lakoseljac have benefitted from early exposure to now be among the competitions best. With a hat-trick against Riverside and a late equaliser against the Knights, Hallam looms as their biggest attacking threat and the top priority for the Lions to slow down. While there’s still plenty of youth in the lineup, South have mixed in some older heads during this competition, with the returning Jayden Hey and his centre-back partner Luke Bighin joining the club’s senior leaders. Hey is a huge addition, as he remains one of the state’s premier players and will now be charged with marshalling one of the most promising clubs in the league. A Summer Cup title would be the perfect start to what could be a return to the summit for Tasmania’s most storied club. Key player: Kobe Kemp, Kingborough Lions This may not be a true “rivalry” matchup, but the presence of South defector Kemp could certainly add a little spice. That could be even more true given he looms as a key player in the final after scoring in all three of their pool games. Morton and his players know Kemp’s game inside out, but does that mean they can keep him quiet?