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South Hobart coach Ken Morton is confident his side can beat Devonport Strikers in tomorrow’s NPL final-four grand final at 4pm at Valley Road.
Speaking at a media conference this morning, Morton said Devonport had beaten South 2-1 and 1-0 in finals this season but South had beaten Devonport at Valley Road in the league this season.
“I think we were good enough to beat them, especially in that first game, and obviously we’ve also beaten them in the league up there,” Morton said.
“Providing the players can give a good account of themselves on the day, I think we can.
“We go into the game strong and with a good belief that we can win the game.”
Morton said some coaches like to play mind games but that he is not into that.
He was referring to Devonport coach Tom Ballantyne’s comments earlier in the week that South will need to change their style and tactics if they are to bear his side.
“I just wasn’t us to play our football,” Morton said.
“We have our way of playing football and we’ll do the same thing. We’ll try and keep possession and we’ll try and break them down and get in behind them and score the goals to win the game.
“It’s up to us.
“They’re a good side. Nobody can take that away from them.
“Since Peter Savill went there and built the club up and then Chris Gallo, they’ve always had a strong team and it’s up to other teams to catch them up and go past them.
“We’ll go into the game and play the way we want to play and try and break them down and to get the combinations to win the football match.
“I think every game you go into is different because of the opposition and the way they change. The game changes within a game.”
Morton said he expected the game to be physical because Devonport’s defence is built on strength.
“It’ll be a good battle, I assume,” Morton said.
“It’s important for us to win this last game of the season. It’s a final, so no matter what type of final they are, once you’re in them, you’re there to try and win them.
“I’m sure Devonport will want to go and win the title again in this play-off and be the champions of Tasmania completely.”
Morton said the championship is number one and nobody can take that away [from Devonport].
“Winning the league is what it’s all about,” he said.
“I think it’s been a successful year in as much as we’ve been in the two finals and we’ve finished second in the league and we’re in another final this weekend.
“On top of that, we had our Under-21s win the competition and our championship side finished third in the league, and then you can go 13s, 14s, 15s, 17s won their competitions at academy level, so I think it’s been a very, very strong year for the football club.”
South Hobart will be without attacker Iskander Van Doorne, who had to leave Australia last Tuesday because his visa had expired.
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Tomorrow’s other grand finals at Valley Road are:
1.30pm, Women’s Super League: Devonport Strikers v Clarence Zebras
11am, Under-21s: South Hobart v Launceston City
*****
After the media conference, I asked the Football Tasmania Communications and Engagement Manager why all photographers other than the official Football Tasmania photographer were barred from the pitch and had to do their work from behind the fence.
I asked why the usual practice of issuing vests and passes to photographers was not being followed.
The only answers I got, repeatedly, were: “That’s the way it is now.” and “Opinions differ.”
I queried why Football Tasmania would pay an ‘official photographer’ to take photos when they could easily get photos from at least four other photographers for free.
“That’s the way it is now. I need the photos.” was the response.
I think this policy smacks of disrespect to other photographers who have covered the game all year, and is a waste of clubs’ and supporters’ money from the FT coffers.
It makes one also wonder why clubs get no money from the live streaming of games.
I’ll be very interested to see what new CEO Tony Pignata makes of all this.
I have contacted FT president Bob Gordon and am awaiting a response.
13 comments:
I think it smacks of the amount of disrespect for the game itself in Tasmania at the moment.
The fact that you, Walter, who has been inducted into the FFA Hall of Fame BECAUSE of your media work, is not allowed on the pitch is absolutely appalling.
Also nearly every club has their own photographer/s these days and if FT were sensible and smart…..hahaha, then they would utilise the photos that are taken each week at just about every game. How good would that be!! But apparently narcissism and control reigns supreme within the walls of FT….what a shame for our game.
Sad there won’t be any decent photos of this game.
This is appalling and disrespectful for those who love the game and give up their time to take photos. Expecially Walter you are the epitome of football media in Tasmania and deserve much more respect and the football governing body in this state need to support the broader football community!
The official photographers complained
I believe that is called discrimination Walter and as a lawyer you have excellent grounds for a class action if you so choose .
This sort of dramatic change in what you can/can’t do has to have happened for a reason.
It either aligns with the beginning of the new CEO tenure and he has pushed it.
Or the official photographers have an issue.
If it’s the latter, those photographers need to go and use the photos of our community!
If it’s a CEO push… that’s concerning times ahead!
There is an award named after you in the NPL Walter, yet you can’t go on the pitch? Ridiculous
I wonder if this has something to do with why there is no “champions” photo of South Hobart winning under 21s competition?
All other competitions have been shared on Social Media with their trophy and medals but nothing about 21s.
What happened at Darcy street last round of the season?
It's because of the official photographers not wanting other photos used purely a business decision AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM
FFT CEO give Rhodesy a call and hire him to do your media work makes perfect sense !!!
Couldn't agree more
Thats hilarious
Rhodesy would be ideal for the job at least he knows about Football, Whoever is writing for, FFT has no idea and the Mercury well it’s terrible .
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