Greater Northern League Round 9 Preview

The headline fixture sees third-placed Smithton host fourth-placed South Burnie in a clash with significant top-four implications. Smithton strengthened their finals credentials with a 4-2 victory over West Devonport last weekend, while South Burnie had the bye and remain level on points with Smithton. With just goal difference separating the two sides

Second-placed Queechy Penguins will be looking to keep the pressure on Burnie Baptist when they travel to face fifth-placed South Launceston Suns. The Penguins were impressive in Round 8, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Tamar Churinga to move to 16 points from seven matches. The Suns, meanwhile, produced the result of the round, dismantling Launceston City 8-2 to climb into fifth position and close the gap on the top four.

At the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre, ninth-placed Tamar Churinga take on sixth-placed West Devonport. Tamar Churinga remain rooted to the bottom of the ladder after their loss to Queechy, while West fell to Smithton. Both sides will view this as a crucial opportunity to bank points and keep their hopes of climbing the ladder alive.

The final match of the round sees eighth-placed City Marians host seventh-placed Launceston City at McKenna Park. Both teams suffered heavy defeats in Round 8, with City Marians conceding eight goals to Burnie Baptist and Launceston City on the receiving end of an 8-2 scoreline against South Launceston Suns. With the sides level on six points, this shapes as an important contest in the battle to move clear of the lower reaches of the ladder.

Competition front runners Burnie Baptist have the bye this weekend, giving the chasing pack an opportunity to make ground.

In the Women’s Greater Northern League, ladder leaders Queechy Penguins remain the team to beat, sitting undefeated atop the standings on 20 points after a commanding 7-0 victory over Tamar Churinga in Round 8. This week they face one of their biggest tests yet when they travel to take on third-placed South Launceston. In the headline clash of the round. South Launceston continued their good form with a convincing 3-0 victory over Launceston City in Round 8 and now sit third on the ladder. A win would see them close the gap on the competition leaders and significantly tighten the premiership race.

South Burnie continued their strong campaign last weekend with an impressive 3-0 win over fellow top-four contender City Marians to strengthen their grip on second place. They now face sixth-placed Smithton, who enter the match full of confidence after edging West Devonport 3-2 to claim their second win of the season.

City Marians will be looking to respond after their loss to South Burnie when they host Launceston City. Despite sitting fourth on goal difference, they remain level on points with South Launceston and know a victory over fifth-placed Launceston City could see them climb further up the standings. Launceston City are just one point outside the top four and have plenty to play for, making this one of the most important matches of the round.

At the other end of the ladder, Tamar Churinga and West Devonport meet in a contest where both sides will be desperate for points. Tamar are still searching for their first win of the season, while West Devonport pushed Smithton all the way last weekend before falling 3-2. With seventh and eighth meeting, both clubs will see this as a golden opportunity to build confidence heading into the final weeks.

Round 9 Fixtures

Men

Smithton vs South Burnie,12:30pm, Smithton

Tamar Churinga vs West Devonport, 12:30pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre

City Marians vs Launceston City, 2:00pm, McKenna Park

South Launceston Suns vs Queechy Penguins, 3:30pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre

Women

Smithton v South Burnie, 11:00am, Smithton

City Marians v Launceston City, 12:30pm, McKenna Park

Tamar Churinga v West Devonport, 2:00pm, Northern Hockey Centre (NHC1)

South Launceston v Queechy Penguins, 5:00pm, Northern Hockey Centre (NHC1)