Two vital games are on the card in the south this weekend

Photo:  James Sherman (left) and Ken Morton appear to be looking to the heavens as they discussed their teams' prospects at today's media conference [PlessPix]

Two crucial games are scheduled tomorrow [Saturday] in the NPL Tasmania competition and the results will be important in determining the destination of the title.

Ladder leaders and reigning champions Devonport City travel to Warrior Park to face third-placed Olympia Warriors, while second-ranked Glenorchy Knights host fourth-placed South Hobart at KGV Park.

If Devonport and Knights win, it will leave Devonport on top and 4 points ahead of Knights.

If Knights lose and Devonport win, the North-West Coast outfit will have one hand on the trophy.

If Devonport lose and Knights win, it’ll be one point the difference and the title will really be up for grabs as Knights host Devonport in the final round.

There are still four rounds remaining, however, so there are lots of possibilities.

For Devonport and Knights tomorrow, it will be important for them to win.

Knights coach James Sherman said he and his players are not overly concerned about the outcome at Warrior Parl and it’s just business as usual for them.

Photo:  James Sherman has been making cameo appearances for his side late in games recently [PlessPix]

“It’s [the mood at the club] been positive and it’s been a smooth season so far,” said Sherman.

“I haven’t thought much about it much [Devonport’s game] amd we kind of just focus on ourselves.

“South Hobart are a pretty big challenge and whatever happens in the game beforehand [Olympia v Devonport] is out of our control so really we haven’t focused too much on it.

“We want to play well and against a good side we need to play well and that’s a motivator for us [rather than gaining revenge for our 1-0 loss to Devonport in the earlier round].

“It’s really about our group and can we get better, and how can we get better.

“We just worry about ourselves and the things we can control.”

Knights will probably be without midfielder Alex Bellini, who has a recurrence of an injury that kept him out for weeks.

South Hobart coach Ken Morton is hoping his team will be ready for this game after they lost to Knights 3-1 in their previous encounter.

Photo:  South Hobart coach Ken Morton said his squad would have only a light training session today on the eve of the game against Knights [PlessPix]

“We weren’t ready in the last game,” Morton said.  “We want to make an impression in this one.

“Last Wednesday night’s game was very physical and we’ve got some knocks from that, but we still hope to put out a competitive side.”

Morton said he would retain the experienced Mark Moncur in goal and Reilly Morton should keep his place at centre-back because Declan Foley is injured.

He said he may make a change in attack as Andy Brennan has a groin strain.

“We have to compete with them because in the last game we didn’t and they ran over the top of us easily,” Morton said.

“They were dominant in all departments, controlled the midfield and supported the front players as well.

“We have to play much better if we’re to get anything out of the game.”

Devonport and Olympia should both be close to full strength, which means Devonport’s Miles Barnard and Olympia’s Ben Hamlett could be available.

Devonport beat Olympia 3-2 at Valley Road in their previous meeting, which indicates that Olympia can score against the league champions.

In a way, the pressure is all on Devonport in this game and they will need to be disciplined to come away with the 3 points.

Kingborough Lions United will face a difficult task against Clarence Zebras, who are starting to pick up pace.

The Lions were hammered 5-2 on Wednesday night by South Hobart in the Lakoseljac Cup and they lost 3-1 away to Devonport in the league last weekend, so their morale may not be high.

Kingborough beat Clarence Zebras 2-1 the last time they met and Kingborough’s Adam McKeown will be keen to get on the scoresheet again against his former club.

The remaining match of the round is the bottom-of-the-table clash at Windsor Park in Launceston where second-last Riverside Olympic entertain last-placed Launceston City.

NPL Tasmania schedule for Saturday, 3 October 2020:

Olympia Warriors v Devonport City (Warrior Park, 2.15pm)

Riverside Olympic v Launceston City (Windsor Park, 2.15pm)

Glenorchy Knights v South Hobart (KGV Park, 4.30pm)

Kingborough Lions United v Clarence Zebras (Lightwood Park, 6.30pm)

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 26 September 2020)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Devonport City	10	9	1	0	19	6	28
Glenorchy Knights	10	8	0	2	29	8	24
Olympia Warriors	10	5	1	4	25	19	16
South Hobart	10	5	0	5	20	19	15
Kingborough Lions	10	4	3	3	16	24	15
Clarence Zebras	10	3	2	5	15	20	11
Riverside Olympic	10	1	2	7	13	26	5
Launceston City	10	0	1	9	9	24	1