Friday, February 4, 2011

All set to go in Steve Hudson Cup

South Hobart begin their defence of the Steve Hudson Cup on Sunday when they tackle Riverside Olympic in a Group A match on Ground 1 at Birch Avenue at 3pm in Launceston.

“We will be entering the Cup under-done as I have been overseas the last few weeks, so this Sunday will be our first practice game for the year,” said Riverside coach, Troy Scott.

“Playing South Hobart first up and then Northern Rangers will give us a guide as to what we need to work on in order to challenge for the title.

“Due to holidays and cricket, we will be missing four or five players, but this gives an opportunity to Oliver Edmondson, Nick Lanua Atkinson and Nick Meldrum to mention a few that will get an opportunity this week, with some other players coming up from our under-18 team of last season over the next couple of weeks.

“The way we play will be more important than the result.”

South Hobart will introduce newcomers Luke Huigsloot and Jon Foley-Donohue, while Mark Moncur is likely to be in goal as Sam Kruijver is still not ready to resume after suffering concussion in the match against South Melbourne Hellas.

The other Group A game is between Northern Rangers and Launceston City on Ground 2 at 2.30pm.

“We’ve only been training for four weeks, so Sunday’s game comes very early in our preparation,” said Rangers coach, Adam Whitemore.

“Like last season, our aim is to build through the Hudson Cup, peaking for round 1 of the league.

“This approach does mean that at this stage we are likely to be well behind some of our opponents in physical preparation and sharpness, and in all likelihood we won’t be at anything like our best for another month.

“Again, like last season, winning the league is our primary aim. Our focus for Sunday will be on getting players familiar, and comfortable tactically and, of course, building match fitness.

“Line-up wise, we will rest, or use sparingly, many of last season’s key players who physically aren’t ready to be doing too much, namely Andrew Nicholson, Des Schipper, Sam Luck and Todd Hingston.

"New recruits, such as Mark Ambrose, will be slowly eased in in later rounds, along with a few players already carrying injuries.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how City play as I was very impressed with the style in which Lino had his young reserve side playing last season.”

City suffered a heavy defeat against Tilford Zebras in a practice match in Hobart recently, but Sciulli said that was only a scratch side and not the one that would play in competition this season.

In Group B matches on Sunday, Launceston United will face Prospect Knights on Ground 1 at 11am, while Ulverstone take on Olympia Warriors on the same pitch at 1pm.

Launceston United lost 4-1 to South Hobart last weekend in a practice match and they didn’t look too bad a side.

“It will be a similar side to take to the park on Sunday,” said Launceston coach, Mark Egan.

“The lads worked well together as a unit against South Hobart and continuity is what I am looking for from the senior squad this season.

“The club has added depth to the playing list and brought in fresh faces, some of whom are not quite ready yet, but over the course of the Hudson Cup I will endeavour to get these lads on the park.

“As with every club, there have been players who have other commitments, such as cricket, touch football and so on.

“Launceston United is no different and, as these players wind one season down, they will quickly move into another.

“We will be looking to use the Hudson Cup as a series of practice games. Where have I heard that one before? We’ll be trying different players in different positions and difficult conditions.

“I hope it’s not too hot on the weekend for all concerned.

“Our Under-18s will have their first run of the season and their coach, Richard Jones, will be looking for a solid performance from his players, who finished third on the table in last year’s ‘home and away’ season.”

Prospect Knights will be trying a few youngsters in this match.

“We are looking to put our best available eleven on the park to start with,” said Knights coach, Dane Hudson.

“We have included five under-18 players with a view to senior selection as the season unfolds.

“We, as others, have some players unavailable, but all have committed to the club for 2011.

“Launceston, I think, may have a smattering of more senior players in their ranks this season, which can only help the young players’ development.

"We are looking forward to a win straight up.”

Ulverstone against Olympia Warriors presents a student versus master encounter.

Ulverstone’s new coach, Nick Owen, was in junior representative sides coached by Olympia’s Chris Hey.

Olympia will undoubtedly use this tournament as preparation for this year’s league competition and Hey will be looking to fine-tune his line-up for what could be a difficult season.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've heard some rumours that Olympia have signed up 6 beachside players from last season? I've only heard of Andrew Reason signing with them, any news on who the others are?

Anonymous said...

Ive also heard that Olympia have signed Andreus Reasonopolous, a central defender from Greek div.3 side Mykonos PC. Reasonopolous has relocated to Tasmania to be closer to his family and is keen to establish his own school of male grooming and deportment. Is this the same bloke?

Anonymous said...

a couple of fringe div 1 reserve players living on the eastern shore have expressed interest in heading there, but certainly no one of note.

Anonymous said...

I heard Stavros Flatly will be busting a few moves down Warrior Park way this season. Fee: Some poker lessons by George and some free brylcreem.

Anonymous said...

rumor has it many knights players not happy, huigsloot to south with his brother, garth to metro, peter to clarence and chalky russel to eagles, jackson marsh back to nelson

Anonymous said...

I find it amusing that FFT has an ad about a TIS member getting a contract with a State League Club in Vic on its website. Is this really such an achievement for FFT/TIS. Is it extaordinary that a Tasmanian player can gain a contract with a State League Club? There should be 50 players capable of doing this and some more that can play A League. Clearly the players ARE good enough - then the problem is definitely with pathways. There should be at least 2 players from the TIS program every year achieving mainland State League contracts or better.

Anonymous said...

Eagles dont need anyone. Certainly dont want russell

Anonymous said...

south hobart ressies will be strong this season with the huigies playing.

Anonymous said...

I think Juma from Knights has gone to the Eagles.
You could be right Anon 2.05pm

Anonymous said...

Walter do you know where and when beachside and south game is tomorrow?

Anonymous said...

Who's had more clubs Andrew reason or Jaydan wiggins????

Walter said...

Anonymous 10.16pm

South Hobart v Beachside is at 2pm at Wellesley Park

Metro v Kingborough Lions is at North Chigwell (11am reserves, 1pm seniors)

Clarence v New Town Eagles is at Rokeby at 2pm (I think).

White Eagle said...

Just to confirm that Knights players did attend Eagles' session on Thursday. Juma Barbara i think it is and Myomge Kamba? Excuse if i got the spelling wrong. Also Walter kick off is at 2:30pm at Rokeby for the Clarence vs Eagles match.

Anonymous said...

Anon 4 Feb 3.44pm.
You dont know what you are talking about. There may be many more players in Tas capable of playing Vic PL however there are hundreds more already in Victoria that the clubs will look at first. Why would a VPL club sign up a Tas player when they already have 50 similar standard players to chose from ?

Anonymous said...

juma has been taining regularly with olypmia

Anonymous said...

damn, you blokes down south don't like each other much hey, i always thought the discussion was a little bit more elegant than your antipodeans of the North. How come you don't get more teams participating in your summer cup? like div 1 teams or are they not allowed?

It sounds like South will be strong again, How about Olympia? as they are competing in our competition up north. any idea on how they will fare this year?

Rangers

Anonymous said...

Olympia will no doubt finish in the top 8 this year !

Anonymous said...

New Town Eagles 4 - 3 Clarence United

Anonymous said...

Olympia may sneek into the top 8 on goal difference

Coxy said...

Eagles 4-3 Clarence

mets09 said...

Lions beat metro 4-0
Lions are a class side this year compared to previous yrs, the way they move the ball from the back to the forwards was great. A very fit side with great movement all over the park. Top 3 side. Metro had a bad day but will learn alot from the way the lions played.
All the best for the season
Jaydan

Anonymous said...

Walter - I think you should start a topic named "Random Crap". Most of these posts (including this one) would fit nicely under that theme. Stay on topic you muppets!

Anonymous said...

Rumour has it that DOSA has been contacted by a former old scholar who is looking to pump some big money into the club

Anonymous said...

now who could that be annon, lala giggles maybe, with some hydro money maybe or southern water perhaps.

Anonymous said...

i agree totally the players who make it 2 a vic state league side on soccer tas website big deal... its imbarrassing shows they have no idea and that seems like an achievement wait till he wins something or plays in a grand final like matt sanders personally i dont rate him and think there is a lot of players in tas far better than him but he is doing it so good on him!!

Anonymous said...

olympia will struggle to avoid relegation