Thursday, August 12, 2021

Bolton takes Clarence Zebras to WSL title, but changes are needed

Photo:  Ronnie Bolton wins WSL title with Clarence Zebras. [PlessPix] 

Congratulations must go to Clarence Zebras Women’s Super League coach Ronnie Bolton as his side has won the league title by the proverbial mile.

Bolton, no stranger to coaching women’s teams, took over from Chris Hey and has come up trumps at the first time of asking.

Clarence Zebras thrashed South Hobart 8-2 last weekend away at South Hobart Oval to open up an 18-point lead over second-placed Devonport Strikers.

Devonport host Clarence Zebras at Valley Road this coming Saturday but the result doesn’t really matter as the visitors are the undisputed champions, even if they haven’t been officially crowned as yet.

Photo:  Ronnie Bolton watches his players in action against South Hobart. [PlessPix]  

Olympia Warriors are the big disappointment of the season and they lie third, 19 points behind Clarence Zebras, who used to be their arch rivals.

Olympias lost important players this season and they acquired a new coach in Matt Kilsby so it’s probably a case of serious rebuilding if they are to regain their status of past seasons.

Launceston United have done remarkably well in their first season at this level, but inconsistency has probably done them in.

They are a physical, speedy and committed team with some very good players and they may well be a force to be reckoned with in coming seasons.

Photo:  Clarence Zebras' Brooke Fiemann in possession against South Hobart. [PlessPix]  

Kingborough Lions United have been disappointing, given the talent at their disposal.

Laura Davis is one of the best goalscorers around and new signing Danielle Kannegiesser brought vast experience to the team when she signed from Clarence Zebras.

Inconsistent performances have cost the Lions, just as it has their men’s NPL side.

South Hobart and Taroona have been disappointing in terms of results, but not commitment.

South Hobart are inexperienced but are quick learners, while Taroona have not lived up to their reputation in women’s football.

Photo:  Olympia won the Summer Cup and the State-wide Cup and captain Inocent Michael (left) has been a key player. [PlessPix]  

Taroona have been hampered by injuries and loss of players.

The Women’s Super League has been a one-horse race and this will have to change if the competition is to have an credibility.

Getting rid of that annoying bye each week is also a must.

Surely there must be another club able to enter this league to make it a credible and viable 8-team state-wide league.

Photo:  Olympia's Hannah Johnson and Kingborough's Laura Davis take a tumble. [PlessPix]  

Women’s Super League  (As at 8 August 2021)

TEAM

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

Clarence Zebras

15

13

1

1

69

25

40

Devonport Strikers

13

7

1

5

36

38

22

Olympia Warriors

14

6

3

5

29

24

21

Launceston United

14

7

0

7

27

22

21

Kingborough Lions

14

5

4

5

36

34

19

South Hobart

14

3

2

9

16

33

11

Taroona

14

1

3

10

13

50

6

Photo:  Action from last Sunday's Olympia versus Kingborough game at Warrior Park. [PlessPix] 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Clarence have many young females coming through their system where as Olympia will struggle as they only have 1 or 2 female youth teams. For O;Olympia to be a force next year they are going to have to recruit players from other clubs.

Anonymous said...

I would have thought that if you are a NPL club that you would also have to have a Senior Women's teams too, or at least have things put in place to be able to achieve that over a few year period

Anonymous said...

What a shame that those "young females coming through their system" won't get much of a look in to play WSL. They keep recruiting from other clubs and let their "mature" players play even though they don't train. Funny how Clarence have "many young females coming through their system", would it be because two clubs merged? Hmmm!!!

Anonymous said...

Olympia are hardly a disappointment. They have won two pieces of silverware this season. Unfortunately three more of their starting lineup from last year have recently left totalling 9 now. Give them a break. The girls are doing an awesome job.

Anonymous said...

Knights have a women's side. Maybe they can spread their wealth and get them into the WSL.Please Knights people im not having a crack either. Just think they are in the best shape to fill the bye. Congratulations to Ronnie and his girls. He is the captain of our ship !

Anonymous said...

Picture of Clarence Zebras player is Brooke Fiemann not Caitlin Stalker

Anonymous said...

WSL either needs to be 6 teams or 8

Anonymous said...

Fair crack Walter Olympia have hardly been disappointing

They won the summer cup against hot favourites Kingborough

Knocked Champions Zebras out of the Statewide Cup

Won the Statewide cup final

They unlike Kingborough have lost 8 players from last years championship side apart from Innocent Michael and Kate Ollerhead they are a team of kids..

All the teams are fairly young apart from Zebras who turned the corner as soon as Allie Berry returned. They have the most experience and older players which usually means consistency.

League needs one more or one less team

Anonymous said...

Glenorchy are probably the only club able to enter an extra team along with Ulverstone(who were kicked out) at the end of last season even though they wanted to stay

Back to Glenorchy however they would have to recruit players as they are currently mid table in the championship. They do currently have 3 girls in state under 14 squad(two who came from Zebras) and one in the under 16 squad but no pathway to the top level..

Anonymous said...

Olympia lost some very good players but Clarence Zebras also lost Issy Ferrier, Georgia Burt, DK, Bronte Gadon, Zara Dixon, Stacey Burdack, and still won the title by a country mile. Some of those players will be back in 2022 + Kayla Mason.
CZ also blooded some very young youth players in the WSL (home grown), so not sure who they recruited.
Those people who think it is a Crime to approach players from other clubs need to crawl into a corner. Im pleased Walter drew reference to this in one of his latest articles. It is essential to both build from within and also recruit the right players with the right attitude which fits the culture of the particular club.
Kingborough got hold of 2 high rated players in Gadon and DK for 2021 season but I don't here CZ moaning about that fact. It is h=just when CZ do it, everyone gets their nickers in a knot.