It's a case of another week, another big game for the Hobart Zebras, as they prepare to tackle Ulverstone on Saturday afternoon at KGV in the Women's Super League. Their meeting with the Reds is the highlight of a catch up weekend in the WSL and the last of what loomed as a defining four week stretch of games for the Zebras. They've emerged thus far with 2 wins and a draw from those games, which coupled with the Warriors slip up last weekend, means they now sit on top due to their superior goal difference.
Both the Warriors and Zebras have four games left, with one of those the final day showdown with each other that looms as a quasi grand final. Both will expect to take wins over Clarence and South Hobart whom they both play once, meaning that this Saturday's game against Ulverstone for the Zebras, and Olympia's game against Kingborough next week could well determine who heads into the final day with the edge of only needing a draw to secure the title. It's now advantage Zebras in that respect, but they do face the tougher of the two games, coming up against this Ulverstone side. They are a side who have now claimed two wins over Olympia and a 3-3 draw with Zebras among their last six games to demonstrate their strong form. Had they been at full strength all year, its easy to envisage a scenario where Ulverstone were firmly in the title race at this stage of the year, however they have been relegated to the role of the side of who will shape it instead.
If the Zebras win on Saturday, then they likely head into that final day holding the edge, but any other result and the door will be ajar for Olympia. Whilst the Lions game looms as a big one next week, they had a harder time than might be expected against Clarence when they last met a fortnight ago, so they can't be taking anything for granted there. Whilst still overwhelming favourites, the Reds defensive work in that game, coupled with their best performance of the season last week in a 2-0 win over South Hobart, means they could prove a challenge to break down if Olympia were to take their eyes of the ball and get complacent. It would be a shock twist, but then more often than not, it's the game you don't expect that can so often settle title races.
Saturday 10 August
Hobart Zebras v Ulverstone, 2:00pm, KGV
Olympia v Clarence, 2:00pm, Warrior Park