Saturday result - 26 July 2025

Photo:  Nick Morton scored to make it 2-0 for South Hobart against Kingborough Lions United today. [Photo by Craig Pitt] 

NPL Tasmania (Played at KGV Park because of waterlogged South Hobart Oval)

South Hobart 4 (Harrison Oates 1', Nick Morton 20', Adam Gorrie 29', 56') beat Kingborough Lions United 1 (Max Pollara 50') 

[No other games played today.] 

Photo:  Kingborough's Noah Mies wins a header against South Hobart. [Photo by Craig Pitt]

 NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 26 July 2025)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
South Hobart	15	12	3	0	59	14	39
Launceston City	14	10	1	3	46	13	31
Devonport City	14	8	3	3	37	16	27
Kingborough Lions	15	9	0	6	33	27	27
Glenorchy Knights	14	7	1	6	31	29	22
Riverside Olympic	14	4	1	9	18	31	13
Launceston United	14	1	1	12	13	33	4
Clarence Zebras	14	1	0	13	8	51	3

Photo:  South Hobart defend against the Lions. [Photo by Craig Pitt]

 

Photo:  Action in South Hobart's penalty area in today's game against the Lions. [Photo by Craig Pitt]

Photo:  Action from the only game in town today. [Photo by Craig Pitt]  

South Hobart go awfully close to Australia Cup upset

Photo:  South Melbourne's Andy Brennan scored the equaliser against his former club. [PlessPix] 

 South Hobart put on a memorable performance before succumbing 2-1 to South Melbourne in the Round-of-32 Australia Cup clash at KGV Park on Wednesday night.

The Tasmanian side took the lead in the 28^th minute when midfielder Kobe Kemp produced one of the outstanding goals of the tournament with a spectacular overhead kick from 14 metres that lodged in the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Photo:  South Hobart's Kobe Kemp scored a sensational goal against South Melbourne. [PlessPix]

 South Hobart were creating chances and Patrick Ayoul should have also have scored when through on goal but his heavy first touch sent the ball beyond his reach.

Former South Hobart striker Andy Brennan equalised in the 32^nd minute, both starting the attack on the half-way line on the right and then racing forward to finish the move from a return cross on the edge of the 6-yard box.

Nahuel Bonada grabbed what proved to be the winner 4 minutes before the interval after an error by Tobias Herweynen gifted possession to Bonada, who cut inside and fired into the far corner of the net past keeper Nick O’Connell.

South Melbourne began to dominate play in the second half and went close to increasing their lead on at least a couple of occasions.

South Hobart still had a sting in their tail, however, and substitute Harrison Oates and Ayoul both went close to scoring in the closing stages.

It was a brave display by South Hobart and, with a little bit of luck and better finishing, they may just have produced an upset.

Australia Cup Round-of-32, Wednesday, 23 July 2025

South Hobart 1 (Kobe Kemp 28’) lost to South Melbourne 2 (Andy Brennan 32’, Nahuel Bonada 41’)

Northern Tigers 0-1 Sydney United

Raiders 2-3 Cooks Hill United

Tom Ballantyne in his fourth season in charge of Devonport

Photo:  Tom Ballantye (left) with Devonport captain Kieran Mulraney and the NPL trophy. [PlessPix]

Tom Ballantyne has had his most difficult year as coach of Devonport City in what is his fourth year in charge.

Rebuilding will be a priority in the off-season and Devonport seeks to regain its standing as Tasmania's top club. 

In his four years at the club he has won two NPL titles, two Lakoseljac Cups, two Summer Cups, one Women's Super League title and two Women;s Statewide Cups,

Devonport are currently third on the Tasmanian NPL standings, 9 points adrift of leaders South Hobart and 4 points behind second-ranked Launceston City.

I spoke to Devonport coach Tom Ballantyne about the season.

Photo:  Tom Ballantyne with last season's Summer Cup. [PlessPix] 

1. How old are you and what is your playing and coaching background?

I turned 40 this year and started coaching part time back in 2008 in the UK. I started full time coaching in 2011 when I was at Aston villa and Cardiff city. For the last year I have been working towards the AFC Professional Diploma, which I am excited to say I've passed.

 
2. What do you attribute your success at Devonport to in recent years?

The players and support from the club.

3. Would you say the team is having a lean period at the moment?

Missing out on the league and cup for a season doesn't make a lean period. Remember, we were just a heartbeat away from clinching the league on the final day last year.

Photo:  Tom Ballantyne directing his troops. [PlessPix] 

 

4. Can you rectify that and challenge for the NPL title again?

Of course we can. Having arguably some of the best players in the league over the past two years move on means that we are in a rebuild phase at the moment as we bring young players into the team. 

5. You also coach the club’s WSL team. Does that extra task make it difficult for you as a coach?

It has made me more process driven as I have to plan and work in advance, sometimes to a tight timeline specially on game days. I am very fortunate that I have very good assistants, team managers and medical support.

6. Are there any differences to coaching NPL and WSL?

Yes and no. Right now, the main difference is that the women have been a consistent group and have a more comprehensive understanding of our principles. The men looked like that in 22' and 23' but we are currently in a different phase. 

Photo:  Tom Ballantyne congratulating his players. [PlessPix] 

 

7. How would you describe your coaching philosophy?

I’m a coach who’s driven by my principles, not by rigid systems or formations. I believe that a coach’s role is to create a formation that positions players optimally for their strengths. This approach varies from club to club and season to season, depending on the players’ abilities. Within any given formation, it’s crucial to establish ecosystems that maximise the individual potential of each player within a group.

Photo:  Tom Ballantye (left) with former South Hobart coach, Ken Morton. [PlessPix] 

 

8. Who do you see as your main rivals in the NPL?

South Hobart.

9. Do you have any recruiting plans in the near future and later on?

It will depend on what we look like at the end of the season. It's hard to know as we are not sure who is off to Uni or might be moving for work at this time.

10. Should there be promotion and relegation in the NPL?

I think this is a question for FT as lots has to be considered with is. Size of the player pool, investment by current NPL clubs to meet criteria and the ability of clubs to meet the criteria if coming in. Those are some of the constraints that I can see.

Photo:  Tom Ballantyne is shown the red card at South Hobart Oval. [PlessPix] 

 

11. Would you say that with the building upgrades at Valley Road it is now one of the best, if not the best, football venue in the State?

Yes I believe it is the best facility in the state, when the pitch gets upgraded at the end of the season it will be as good as any on the mainland. 

12. What are your hopes and aspirations for Devonport in the future?

That the club continues to be competitive in all state competitions.

 

Photo:  Tom Ballantyne shortly after being appointed Devonport City coach. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Tom Ballantyne on the side-lines. [PlessPix] 

Saturday results - 19 July 2025

NPL Tasmania

South Hobart 2 (Sam Berezansky 7’, Harrison Oates 45’+1) drew with Devonport City 2 (Jordan Payne 11’, Connor Parke 71’)

Clarence Zebras 1 (Curtis Miley 23’) lost to Kingborough Lions United 4 (Noah Mies 36’, 61’, Hugh Sansom 45’+6, Rowan Pitt 53’)

Glenorchy Knights 3 (Thomas Walpole 40’, Mathew Brkic 74’ 90’+1) beat Launceston United 0

Launceston City 4 (Angus Tarlor 29', 49', Thierry Swaby 56', 62') beat Riverside Olympic 0

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 19 July 2025)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
South Hobart	14	11	3	0	55	13	36
Launceston City	14	10	1	3	46	13	31
Devonport City	14	8	3	3	37	16	27
Kingborough Lions	14	9	0	5	32	23	27
Glenorchy Knights	14	7	1	6	31	29	22
Riverside Olympic	14	4	1	9	18	31	13
Launceston United	14	1	1	12	13	33	4
Clarence Zebras	14	1	0	13	8	51	3

 NPL Under-21s

South Hobart 2-1 Devonport City

Glenorchy Knights 4-2 Launceston United

Launceston City 2-3 Riverside Olympic

Clarence Zebras 0-2 Kingborough Lions United

Southern Men’s Championship

New Town White Eagles 6-1 Hobart United

South East United 15-1 Clarence Zebras