Lions just get home against Clarence Zebras in pre-season friendly

Photo:  Bradley Lakoseljac (right) scored for the Lions. [PlessPix]

Kingborough Lions United beat Clarence Zebras 1-0 at KGV Park on Saturday night in a preseason friendly.

Bradley Lakoseljac, who joined the Lions from South Hobart in the of-season, netted the goal.

I know its early days, but that result seems a positive sign for Clarence Zebras, which struggled in the Tasmanian NPL last season.

The NPL will be expanded to a 10-team competition this 2026 season. South East United and Ulverstone are the newcomers to the league.

At the end of the season, the bottom two teams will be relegated and the NPL will revert of 8 teams.

There has been much grumbling about the increase to 10 teams claiming that it will dilute the standard of the competition.

I think the most positive aspect of the move is that no club will be able to complain about being relegated.

They won’t be able to say they haven’t been warned.

Previously, there was no down-side to finishing last.

This time, all the clubs know what is at stake and they will know they will have to perform if they are to avoid finishing in the bottom two places.

That’s a huge incentive to get your act together and a club will have only itself to blame if it is relegated.

That’s a huge positive for the move.

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Photo:  The late Rudi Hancl. [PlessPix]

Glenorchy Knights and Devonport City observed a minute’s silence before their friendly at KGV Park on Saturday in memory of the late Rudi Hancl, a founding member and one of the original players of Croatia (now the Glenorchy Knights) in the late 1950s.

Rudi was a skilled woodworker and made many of the trophies that the club awarded to players at the end of each season.

He was 89 and his funeral was held last Friday.

His son Gary delivered that eulogy and Davor Perovic delivered a tribute on behalf of the Croatian community.

Rudi was a cousin of mine and I attended his wedding as a young kid, as well as his funeral on Friday.

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Photo:  Alfred Hess crosses against Devonport. [PlessPix]

Alfred Hess is an excellent acquisition for Glenorchy Knights for the 2026 season.

He was in fine form against Devonport City and his experience and skills will be invaluable for the Knights.

Photo:  Jordan Payne scored for Devonport against Knights. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Glenorchy Knights' Mathew Brkic defends against a Devonport attacker. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Mathew Brkic faces a Devonport striker. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Glenorchy Knights' Thomas Walpole (left) under pressure. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Glenorchy Knights' Thomas Walpole in possession against Devonport. [PlessPix]