Top-of-the-table NPL clash should be a hit on Sunday

Three games in the north of the State and one in the south is the NPL schedule for this weekend.

The top-of-the-table clash is on Sunday, when leaders South Hobart host second-placed Glenorchy Knights at 2pm at South Hobart Oval.

It’s the second time in a row that South Hobart have hosted Knights.  Their third meeting will be at KGV Park.

Rhodsie and I are a little bit hot under the collar about this as it doesn’t seem fair.

But, we are in a minority as even Knights don’t really care.

Knights President, Paul Woodham, said Football Tasmania had been asked about this but had said something like that’s how the roster has worked out.

Woodham seemed to be happy with this response and said the third meeting at KGV Park restores the balance.

Knights coach James Sherman was also unperturbed about the matter.

“Yeah, it’s just the fixturing, “Sherman said.  “It goes both ways.

“We have Devonport twice at home now as an example.

“For is, it doesn’t really chamge anything.

“We have had a lot of away games with a few more to come, so it’s just like business as usual.”

As far as I’m concerned, it’s a good reason to have four rounds in the NP: so that every side plays every other one twice at home and twice away.

It’s the only real fair way.

Knights will have star striker Stefan Cordwell back after suspension, as well as midfielder-cum=attacker Nick Naden.

South Hobart coach Ken Morton is happy his side top the standings but he is handicapped by the number of injuries he has.

If he could field his strongest squad he would be much more content.

Bottom-side Launceston United entertain Clarence Zebras at 4.30pm tomorrow [Saturday] at Birch Avenue.

Clarence Zebras may be strengthened by new goalkeeper Jake Hayers and a Korean striker, both from South Hobart.

Reigning champions Devonport City are at home at Valley Road at 4.30pm tomorrow to Riverside Olympic, who are second-last.

Former Clarence Zebras keeper Mitchell Higgins is on his way to Devonport and may play, while former Clarence Zebras striker, Argentine Xuan Capellino, has joined Devonport and may make his senior debut.

And, at 4.45pm tomorrow, Launceston City host Kingborough Lions United at Prospect.

NPL Tasmania Standings (As at 16 June 2024)

TEAM	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
South Hobart	10	7	3	0	28	10	24
Glenorchy Knights	10	6	4	0	39	8	22
Devonport City	10	6	4	0	30	9	22
Kingborough Lions	10	5	3	2	34	19	18
Launceston City	10	4	2	4	16	14	14
Clarence Zebras	10	2	0	8	16	27	6
Riverside Olympic	10	2	0	8	14	43	6
Launceston United	10	0	0	10	8	55	0