South Hobart began life under Max Clarke with a stunning come-from-behind 4-2 win over Kingborough in the opening round of NPL Tasmania.
Former coach Ken Morton may have switched his attention to South’s women’s side but his son Nick was still around to claim half his team’s goals as they found the target four times in 16 minutes.
Adam Gorrie was also pivotal, setting up three goals after the hosts had fallen behind to Max Pollara’s well-taken opener.
Chilean speedster Emanuel Ponce, Kingborough’s off-season signing from Riverside Olympic, set up Pollara on the hour but then conceded the penalty from which Morton equalised.
Gorrie set pieces were headed in by Sam Berezansky and Jacob Lancaster, and Morton volleyed in from close range, before Hugo Schwarz headed a stoppage-time consolation for Jon Fenech’s marauding Lions.
Perennial title contenders Devonport kicked off their campaign with a 3-0 home win over Riverside.
Japanese import Yuta Nomura, who represented his nation at youth level, put Strikers ahead on the half-hour but they needed substitutes Declan Zasadny and Jordan Payne to confirm the result late on.
Angus Taylor took just 40 seconds to score the first goal of the season as Launceston City stormed to a 5-0 win in the derby against Launceston United on Friday night.
Taylor added another on the hour mark, the prolific Thierry Swaby opened his account for the season and United’s Connor Reading contributed an own goal before substitute Shota Fujishiro wrapped up the scoring in front of Prospect Park’s new Peter Mies Pavilion.
Four goals in 20 minutes saw reigning champions Glenorchy to a 4-1 home win against Clarence.
Goalless for nearly an hour, the match burst into life with two strikes for Korean import Euigeon Park on debut, one from Tyson Barrett and a Jack Glover penalty before US import Aidan Cann tapped home a late consolation after Knights keeper Tom Divin had saved his spot-kick.
In the Women's Super League, Kingborough’s former favourites came back to haunt them in a 6-0 loss at South Hobart.
Dani Kannegiesser gave the hosts a second-minute lead and fellow former Lion Laura Davis bagged an 18-minute hat-trick as Morton’s team made a major opening-round statement.
Former golden boot winner Jaz White also opened her account on debut before sub Sam Watkins completed the rout.
Launceston United mirrored the scoreline with a 6-0 win of their own at Taroona’s Kelvedon Park.
Dani Gunton netted in each half with Moana Chamberlin and Ava Farquhar also on the scoresheet but the most popular goals were the late double from Gunton’s replacement Montana Leonard who returned to action after two knee reconstructions.
Devonport began their title defence with an emphatic 12-0 defeat of Riverside.
Reigning league best and fairest Whitney Knight began her pursuit of last season’s 24-goal tally with a hat-trick. Grace Sims also bagged three and Lucy Foote two with Georgia King, Madeline Payne, Isabella Taylor and Kyanne Harvey also on the scoresheet.
Glenorchy Knights had the bye.