Photo: Samson Juju has joined Clarence Zebras from South Hobart [PlessPix]
It’s Olympia versus Olympic at 2.15pm at Warrior Park
tomorrow.
But, it’s not a Greek derby.
The home side, Olympia Warriors, have Greek heritage, and
they will have a Darby in goal -- Darby
Randall.
The visitors, Riverside Olympic, have no links to the Greek
community in Launceston and their name suggests athletic prowess rather than cultural
heritage.
Olympia Warriors are bottom of the NPL Tasmania pile and
that’s a bit of an embarrassment for one of the great clubs in Tasmania
football history.
They have invested heavily in a new coach and new playing
talent this season and to be bottom of the ladder after three games is just
awful for everyone involved with the club.
Coach Andrew Brown believes his team goes out to win every
game, so this match is no different.
But, it is certainly one the club must win.
“We’d like to think we can beat anybody, but we just haven’t
gelled so far this year,” Brown said.
“Let’s hope it starts one from one on the weekend.
“Let’s hope we start on the road to recovery.”
A fourth straight loss is inconceivable for a side that began
the season with title aspirations. Those
aspirations would be shattered if the Warriors lose.
Brown said that Jack Ryan would return to centre-forward
after he played at centre-back for most of last week’s game against Devonport.
“That was specific for Devonport so it’ll be back to
normal for Jack this week,” Brown said.
Left-back Lachlan O’Connor has an injury that will probably
side-line him, while Ben Hamlett should be fit to start.
“Lachlan O’Connor rolled an ankle and may have some ligament
damage, while Ben Hamlett hasn’t trained all week but should be fine to play,”
Brown said.
Centre-back Lucas Hill is still a few weeks away from
resuming.
Riverside must fancy their chances after one win, one draw
and one loss so far, which is a better record than that of Olympia.
South Hobart coach Ken Morton is currently hospitalised and
the team will be coached by Ned Clarke and Harry Rickus for the away trip to
Valley Road to face reigning champions and current league-leaders Devonport
City at 2pm.
South will be without 17-year-old Samsun Juju, who signed
for Clarence Zebras during the week.
They will start with veteran Mark Moncur in goal while his
understudy, Nathan Reid, will be on the bench.
“I guess, more than anything, it’s just about the boys building
on last week,” Rickus said. “We
understand that it’s not going to be an easy game.
“Apart from Samson Juju leaving, there probably won’t be
any changes to last week’s side.
“But, anything could change tomorrow, depending on the
warm-up and the ideas Ned [Clarke] has as well.
‘We’ll have to assess that tomorrow, but as far as I can
see, there’ll be no changes.
“Ned has done a bit of an analysis on Devonport and watched
a couple of clips and there’s only a couple of things that we’ve identified and
worked on at training.
“But, we’re not particularly worried about opposing teams
and we’re confident with what our boys can bring to the table.”
Devonport are expected to be at full strength and will consider
this game to be business as usual given that they are top of the table.
Glenorchy Knights host Clarence Zebras at 4.30pm at KGV
Park tomorrow and the home team will be buoyed in terms of confidence after
last week’s 3-1 away win over South Hobart.
“It’ll be a similar squad to last week,” said Knights
coach, James Sherman.
“We’re looking to build on that good performance and improve. Clarence Zebras offer us a very interesting
challenge tactically.
“That’s exciting for us and we’re looking forward to the
game tomorrow.”
Sherman said Eduardo Casteneda is still a few weeks away
from returning because of a knee injury, and Tom Bellini is also still
recovering from a leg injury.
Clarence Zebras coach David Smith said he was delighted to have
signed Samson Juju from South Hobart during the week as it added to his team's
attacking options.
Smith said Juju would add speed and aggression to his
attack and complement players such as Lachie Burt.
Luke Huigsloot returns to the side and will add physical
strength in midfield and attack.
Juju was looking forward to playing for his new club but
said he did not know if he would start or be a substitute.
Photo: Samson Juju (right) in action for South Hobart [PlessPix]
“I just wanted new opportunities so I finally left South
Hobart after four years,” Juju said.
“I want to see what I can do with the ability and talent I
have and I was lucky that the Zebras are happy to accept me.
“I’m looking forward to being part of the family and to win
games and, most importantly, to be part of that community.
“I don’t think I’ll start tomorrow, but it’s up to the boss
and not me. If he pits me on the list, I’ll
feel privileged to start.
“Whether I start or not, I’m always motivated to play and
hopefully win the game.
“I know team-mate Jayden Hey because he coached me at Glenorchy
Knights when I was a young boy.”
Juju said he had been given limited time in the NPL at
South Hobart and he was keen to improve and get more game time.
“South did give me opportunities, and I respect that, but I
want to challenge myself further,” Juju said.
Second-placed Kingborough Lions United entertain second-last
Launceston City at Lightwood Park at 2.15pm tomorrow and Lions coach Jez Kenth
is looking forward to playing a team that he has coached in the past.
He coached some of City’s current team during his stint in
charge of the northerners.
Photo: Kingborough coach Jez Kenth (right) deep in discussion with assistant Garry Upton [PlessPix]
“It’s a home game so we have to get the points,” Kenth
said. “City is a formidable side so we
are taking them seriously despite their league position.
“They should be at full strength, and so should we.
“Bryan Davis will be back from suspension and although a
couple of players, including Phil Kantzos, have niggling injuries, they should
be able to play.
“It’ll be a 50/50 game and both sides will be confident of
winning, I guess.
“It’s a home game for us and if we want to compete for the
top-four we need to win.”
Kenth said he was happy with the way new signing Adam McKeown
had settled in and was forming an effective combination with James Hall and
Shane Cartwright.
City should have midfielder Rob Gerrard available after
suspension.
Defender Lindsay Millington is carrying an injury and may
be a doubtful starter.
Lachlan Clark may be ready to resume in goal after a leg
injury has kept him out of City’s past two games.
NPL Tasmania
Standings (As at 1
August 2020)
TEAM
|
P
|
W
|
D
|
L
|
F
|
A
|
Pts
|
Devonport City
|
3
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
6
|
3
|
9
|
Kingborough Lions
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
0
|
7
|
4
|
7
|
Glenorchy Knights
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
6
|
4
|
6
|
South Hobart
|
3
|
2
|
0
|
1
|
5
|
5
|
6
|
Riverside Olympic
|
3
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
6
|
6
|
4
|
Clarence Zebras
|
3
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
3
|
3
|
Launceston City
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
4
|
7
|
0
|
Olympia Warriors
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
7
|
0
|
13 comments:
Olympia vs Olympic. It's all Greek to me, Walter.
Best wishes to Kenny Morton at this time , What a shame young Samson has left he’s a great young man and very talented. Ken has nurtured a fantastic young squad of boys And he is one that will surely be missed .David Smith has picked up another young gem to add to the likes of Burt, ,Smith, Hatcher and Jones and all will only improve with age .As for Olympia and the Knights , is a trophy really worth spending so much money for ? It’s really just getting to be same old same old every year and Devonport gets to laugh at everyone
Juju would have benefited from training and playing alongside Brennan.
A player with A Lesgue experience would have taught the young player more than what he will learn
at Clarence. Some of these young players need to be patient sometimes and realise that you can learn during training sessions.
Hmmmm enter the field of play without permission and a two footed tackle on a player. Yep he could have leant soooo much.
He's been patient for 4 years. Now he's got an opportunity to actually play at the top level. I think he's made a great choice to get off the ken train.
Great previews as always, Walter.
Anon 3.46. Really?
Is that the best you can do.
The 2 incidents you mention are probably 2 more things that you have done in the game y Pi rd elf.
Pathetic comment
The real comment is that Hamlett hasn't trained all week but should be right to play. What message to send to those who did train all week. Either injured or not available for selection.
Patient for four years? Are you saying he was ready for NPL e four years ago when he was a kid, you Muppet.
You really have no clue about senior football do you. It is only about winning.
Nothing else. You maybe the only person on the planet that does not understand this judging by the comment below. Those that did train understand this and either will play or will not play. This understood as an NPL player.
Anonymous Anonymous said...
The real comment is that Hamlett hasn't trained all week but should be right to play. What message to send to those who did train all week. Either injured or not available for selection.
August 8, 2020 at 1:41 PM
Its more pathetic to suggest a player can learn more from one player than a club.
Good culture at your club is probably non existent Have you heard of cart before the horse you're right about players not playing they also move meaning your depth is depleted can't win the league with 11 players rumour has it, some players wouldn't travel to Devonport hence Jack Ryan at centre back I thought everyone on the planet knew this
So Anon 7;15 your saying things aren't happy in the playing ranks at lolympia?
Anon 10.45.
Get back under your rock. Yeah the player will learn how to play from the president .
You have no idea.
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