Will the champions produce a master class against South Hobart?

Photo:  Can South Hobart coach Ken Morton (pictured) come up with a strategy to beat Devonport? [PlessPix] 

The NPL Tasmania competition has been a bit of an anti-climax in that Devonport Strikers have won the league with three rounds remaining.

That is in stark contrast to last season, when the title was decided on the final day of the league season.  It could not have got more exciting than that.

But, first-past-the-post is traditional for football all over the world and I would not change it for quids.

In football, cup competitions are for the giant-killing acts, while the league winners are deservedly decided by who is on top on the last day as league football is all about consistency and not performances in a one-off game on any given day.

Devonport get the chance to show they are worthy league champions when they travel to South Hobart Oval tomorrow to take on second-placed South Hobart.

Photo:  Jez Kenth will coach Kingborough for the third-last time tonight before Alfred Hess takes the reins next season. [PlessPix]  

If South Hobart play as they did in the first half against Kingborough last Sunday, they may well topple the visitors.

If they play as they did in the second half against Kingborough, they won’t be in with much of a chance.

This should be an intriguing contest and pride is the only thing really at stake here.

Kingborough Lions United could still finish second and they should put the pressure on South Hobart with an easy win over second-last Olympia Warriors at 8m at Clennett’s Lightwood Park today.

The Warriors are fighting for their lives as they are now level on points with last-placed Riverside Olympic, who are in with a chance of beating third-last Clarence Zebras at 2.30pm tomorrow at Wentworth Park.

It won’t happen, but mathematically, Clarence Zebras could still collect the wooden spoon, so they must at least draw with Riverside so that they can sleep well at night.

Glenorchy Knights, the deposed NPL champions, travel to Launceston to face Launceston City at 4.30pm tomorrow at Buckby Motors Park.

This should be a close game as both teams have players capable of winning matches on their own.

Lucas Dzalakowski scored twice for Knights last weekend and showed he has the potential to be a match winner, while City have the cultured and impressive Gediminas Krusa pulling the strings all over the park.

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 21 August 2022)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Devonport Strikers	18	16	1	1	59	10	49
South Hobart	18	12	3	3	60	18	39
Kingborough Lions	18	11	2	5	48	31	35
Glenorchy Knights	18	11	1	6	41	21	34
Launceston City	18	8	2	8	32	41	26
Clarence Zebras	18	4	2	12	31	44	14
Olympia Warriors	18	2	0	16	19	65	6
Riverside Olympic	18	1	3	14	12	73	6

Photo:  Ken Moton (left) with assistant Anton Rohner. Morton is buolding a strong coaching team around him, which also includes former players Nathan Robinson and Bernhard Klasen. [PlessPix]

Photo:  Former title-winning coach, Nathan Robinson. [PlessPix] 

Photo:  Bernhard Klasen''s distinguished playing career was blighted by injuries. [PlessPix]