Finals series begins on Saturday with four North versus South clashes

Photos (Top to Bottom): Paul Scicluna will return to the Devonport City line-up; Mark Moncur and Hugh Ludford will be key players for South Hobart, but Gary Upton (background) is suspended; Daniel Brown may not start for South Hobart; Alex Holmes...key defender for Glenorchy Knights; Jade Clay...an inspirational player for the Glenorchy Knights; Matt Lewis and Luke Huigsloot are vital cogs in the Clarence United wheel

Some exciting games are in prospect on Saturday when the State-wide finals series commences, with the top four southern sides coming up against their northern counterparts.

Southern champions South Hobart take on fourth-placed northern outfit Riverside Olympic at 2.30pm at KGV Park and South must start as the favourites.

The suspended Gary Upton is the only absentee from South, but Riverside will be missing Sam Whinnet and Simon Napier, who are unavailable.

“We are looking forward to playing the best team from the south as it will give us an indication of where we are at,” said Riverside coach, Troy Scott.

“We haven’t been able to train this week, but that should not affect us at this time of the season.”

Northern champions Northern Rangers host fourth-placed southern side Clarence United at Birch Avenue at 2pm and these sides met in last weekend’s Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy final, with Clarence winning 2-0.

Rangers will be without Paul Bremner, while Luke Connors and Mark Ambrose are doubtful starters.

“We will be doing the same things that we have been doing the whole season and will not change our game plan or system,” said Rangers coach, Roslan Saad.

“Psychologically, we hit the peak in the game against Devonport, so, logically, after hitting a peak, a downward trend will follow.

“As a coach, I am trying very hard to try to motivate the boys and I am aware that I will not get the same motivation like the game we had against Devonport.

“But, I am not accepting that as an excuse for the boys and I believe we have what it takes to win this game and we are looking forward to progressing to the next round.

“We already know what Clarence can do, and the boys should know what to expect.”

Tilford Zebras, runners-up in the south, face third-placed northerners Prospect Knights at 12.30pm at KGV Park and the southerners will have to be at their best to win.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of playing a team that has proved themselves over 21 games and finished second in arguably Tasmania’s top tier of football,” said Prospect Knights coach, Dane Hudson.

“We have Thomas, Claxton and Sessay unavailable, so we will be a little down on player stocks, but our replacements are very keen to do well.

“We will have to respond well to the tasks they give us and, hopefully, we will ask some questions of them also.

“It’s been a long year, but we are very excited to be a part of the finals series.”

Devonport City, runners-up in the north, host third-placed southerners Glenorchy Knights at Valley Road at 2pm and the home side should be at full strength with the return of Scott Wilson and Paul Scicluna.

Sean Howe and Kamil Douglas are the creative midfield pair for Devonport and Knights will have to neutralise them if they are to reach the semi-finals.