With Devonport City crowned as 2019 NPL Tasmania champions on Wednesday, there seems little but pride to play for this weekend by the other clubs.
Devonport have the bye and can relax and
celebrate their title triumph.
Fourth-placed Hobart Zebras will have defender
Riley Dillon back from suspension for their showdown with fifth-ranked
Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park on Saturday at 2.30pm.
But, Zebras will be without centre-back Jan
Charuza, who has returned to his native Czech Republic.
Zebras coach David Smith is in favour of a
final-four series and said there was little but pride to play for in this
match.
He said a final-four series had proven
immensely popular in the past and had drawn large crowds.
He said he would continue to give games to a
few youngsters in Zebras’ remaining three games.
Photo: David Smith said he will give several youngsters game time over the remaining weeks [PlessPix]
Glenorchy Knights coach James Sherman agreed
with Smith and said a final-four series would be a popular initiative.
Knights have three games remaining and are
keen to stay fifth and ahead of Kingborough Lions United, whom they meet on the
final day of the season.
South Hobart have four games remaining and
will be striving to overtake second-placed Olympia Warriors.
South Hobart host second-last Riverside Olympic
at 2pm on Sunday at South Hobart Oval and a win is essential if they are to
have any chance of overhauling the Warriors.
This will be Riverside’s third game in eight
days and they will have travelled something like 800 km in the process.
This will have taken a toll on the players and
they are unlikely to pose much of a challenge to South Hobart, who had the bye
last weekend and will be eager to play.
Bottom-side Clarence United entertain
seventh-placed Launceston City at Wentworth Park at 2.30pm on Saturday and it
could be a source of entertainment for the visitors rather than the home side.
Clarence have conceded 148 goals this season
and City will be keen to add to that tally.
Noah Mies is one of their main threats and
Clarence will struggle to contain him.
In the remaining match of the round,
second-placed Olympia Warriors welcome Kingborough Lions United to Warrior Park
on Saturday for a 5pm kick-off.
The Warriors won’t be able to rest on their
laurels as Kingborough are playing well and pose a genuine threat.
Photo: Glenorchy Knights coach James Sherman expects several of his players to be targeted by other clubs for next season [PlessPix]
NPL Tasmania (As
at 22 August 2019)
TEAM
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
Pts
|
Devonport City
|
22
|
19
|
2
|
1
|
83
|
21
|
59
|
Olympia Warriors
|
21
|
15
|
2
|
4
|
68
|
27
|
47
|
South Hobart
|
20
|
12
|
4
|
4
|
73
|
27
|
40
|
Hobart Zebras
|
21
|
10
|
6
|
5
|
63
|
41
|
36
|
Glenorchy
Knights
|
21
|
8
|
2
|
11
|
52
|
40
|
26
|
Kingborough
Lions
|
21
|
8
|
2
|
11
|
39
|
44
|
26
|
Launceston City
|
21
|
6
|
4
|
11
|
31
|
41
|
22
|
Riverside
Olympic
|
21
|
4
|
2
|
15
|
22
|
59
|
14
|
Clarence United
|
22
|
1
|
0
|
21
|
7
|
148
|
3
|
12 comments:
Ridiculous. none of the best leagues around the world have top 4 play offs for the sake of it. Dave and sherman want to celebrate earning 4th spot and a chance at a trophy after a mediocre season. joke.
Interesting thoughts by David and James here on the finals series - not sure every club shares the same thoughts.
Personally I found them a distinct "third banana" in the season as whole behind the league and Lako Cup.
If they were to come back then surely they can't co-exist with the current 9-team, 24-game, 27-week NPL roster. Simply asking too much of non-professional players who already give plenty of time now to play a State-based comp.
There we go with the reference to non professional players giving up too much.
What a load of rubbish. Any athlete at any level gives up something in life.
If you can’t commit then it’s simple.Don’t play.
Ask the players of 20 -30 years ago if there was sacrifice and commitment.
That’s the easy way out.
Please...please...please...let's play football and not have a finals series. That's for other sports; not ours!
@9.45am
You speak as if life 20-30 years ago is the same as it is now. Here's the tip, it isn't.
Anon 10.30. You must be one of the current day players
who doesn’t know what it takes to be successful.
You speak as if you know what commitment is needed.
I am guessing you have no idea.
@Anon 12.13am
Actually don't play at all now mate but been involved in sports admin at both club and competition level for 20+ years.
I've seen the players who work their bums off during the weekday then go to training 2-3 nights a week then give up their Saturday's to do what they love for a pittance. Some then back up the next day and coach a junior side.
I've seen the players who are forced to give it away at the top level because of weekend/shift work commitments so they can provide for their family and set up their lives.
Whether you like it or not, sport in Tasmania at all levels has undergone massive change in its demographics over the last 20-30 years, and in most cases it has no doubt led to a drop in standards.
All I was saying in my original post is that we already have a league season that lasts 27 weeks and 24 games. We've asked the players for more this season with an earlier start (and earlier pre-season start) and the odd midweek game. It doesn't need a mickey mouse finals comp added that very few care about, nor can remember who previously won it. If you're club is not good enough to win a trophy in the league of Lako Cup, I don't see why you need another chance. Learn from the mistakes and come back better next season.
What a load of crap!! Obviously none of these outspoken critics were ever players!! Nothing better than a cup comp we had summer cup and final series back in the day loved by all players!!
9.35 am. You better stick to your administration work then
because you have no idea.
So many experts , AFL have a finals structure, I think the crowds are huge, I think the exposure is huge, Aleague and all other Npl Australia have a final structure, I think the crowds are good and media is good , I think the netball has a final structure, crowds are good and media is good, I think the NRL have a finals structure ; big crowds and great media, I think Tasmania soccer has no finals structure; crowds small ; media poor; just saying if we want to grow the game I would think it would be a very good idea for a finals structure; this would encourage players, supporters , media, children wanting to play the game, growth and make the soccer stronger in the state, or we do what we are doing and the top league losers supporters, children; media, growth ,publicity, funding which will affect all leagues, My opinion is the anti end of year cup are people who do not understand business , growth, and desire of the game. I’m going to call it here now that there will definitely be a top 4/5 structure next year.
Here's a great idea, let's celebrate finishing 4th and reward them with a chance to win a trophy. Ridiculous. This is NPL, top tier competition. First place are rightful champions. Second place is just the first of the losers, and so on. Stop decrying no final series when you have lost 17 games between you and still want a trophy.
ANON 6.58
Thats true other NPL comps have final series top 4 whatever as AFL do but this is football and through my experience with finals in football (Soccer) it just takes the extra 4 weeks just shine off the REAL champions of a league again just another way to reward mediocracy.
What should you get for coming 2nd 3rd of 4th? A pat on the back from your coach for efforts and a "there's always next year lads"
Should focus on the best Idea I've seen on this blog IMPORTS V LOCALS now that would be a finale if you could get everyone to agree on it. That's going to be the hard bit from what Ive read here this year.
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