Devonport and South Hobart favoured to make Summer Cup Final

Photo:  Manny Hennicke will make his debut in goal for Clarence Zebras. [PlessPix] 

South Hobart and Devonport Strikers are the most fancied teams to contest next weekend’s NPL Summer Cup Final.

Tomorrow, in the final round-robin matches, South Hobart take on Glenorchy Knights at KGV Park at 11.45am, while Devonport host Launceston City at Valley Road at 6.30pm.

South Hobart have won their two games to date, while the Knights have won one and lost one game.

Knights did beat South Hobart in a pre-season friendly some weeks ago, but South Hobart coach Ken Morton dismisses any significance to that result.

He said it had been an even game with both teams having good moments.

South Hobart will not start Bradley Lakoseljac, the scorer of numerous goals in the tournament to date, but he should have a place on the bench.

Ewan Sloan has trained well, according to Morton, and should be in the squad, along with Jayden Hey.

Central defender Jack Bowman is unavailable, while new signing from Launceston City, Jaden Fidra, is not yet match fit and won’t play.

Joshua Schofield and Alex Brown will be in Morton’s plans for this match.

“We’re in reasonable shape, but we are short of six or seven really strong games in succession at this stage,” said Morton.  “WE haven’t been competing regularly at top level up until now.”

Photo:  Glenorchy Knights coach James Sherman said the expected hot conditions will need to be managed. [PlessPix] 

Glenorchy Knights coach James Sherman said he would have some player back after missing last week.

Knights were without Nick Naden, Hugh Undy, Daniel Schmidt and Austin Yost last week against Kingborough, so I would expect all four to be on view tomorrow,

“We’re facing good opponents and, despite a few niggles, I’d expect us to be at full strength,” Sherman said.

Sherman will need to pray for a huge winning margin against South if they are to make the final.

South look the more goal-hungry side, having scored 10 goals in two games so far, a performance not matched by the Knights.

Devonport Strikers have been the benchmark for the competition, having won both their games easily and not having concede a goal.

They should account for Launceston City and book a place in next week’s final.

In other games tomorrow, Clarence Zebras meet Kingborough Lions United at KGV Park at 3.45pm, while Riverside Olympic host Launceston United at Windsor Park at 2.30pm.

Clarence Zebras will have Manuel Hennicke in goal in place of the suspended Josh Jones.

Hennicke was signed from University, while Jones is suspended after collecting two yellow cards in the two games he has played.

Clarence Zebras coach, Brett Pullen, said:  “There are several players out due to suspension and injury, but that creates opportunities for others to push for spots.

“The Summer Cup has been an excellent opportunity to look at the entire squad and by the conclusion of the tournament I will have looked at more than 20 players.

“I’m expecting an exciting game against Kingborough and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Riverside Olympic and Launceston United have had a difficult time in this tournament to date and both will be keen to get a win on the board in normal time to boost morale for the coming league season.