Greater Northern League Round 10 Preview

League leaders Burnie Baptist return to action this week for a top of the ladder clash against second-placed Queechy Penguins. The Penguins were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw with South Launceston Suns last weekend, a result that ended their three-game winning streak but kept them firmly in second place. With Burnie Baptist yet to drop a point this season, it will take an improved showing if they are to end that.

Third-placed Smithton strengthened their finals credentials with a thrilling 4-4 draw against South Burnie in Round 9. Having shared the points with one of their nearest rivals, Smithton will be expected to push for all three points this week when they host Tamar Churinga. Tamar recorded an important 3-1 victory over West Devonport last round thanks to a hat-trick from Ben Grose.

South Burnie head into Round 10 sitting fourth, level on points with Smithton but behind on goal difference. Their draw with Smithton kept them inside the top four, but they face a tricky assignment against South Launceston Suns. The Suns produced one of the performances of Round 9 when they held second-placed Queechy Penguins to a 2-2 draw and will take confidence into a match that could have a significant impact on the finals race.

City Marians were the biggest movers in Round 9, producing a dominant 6-1 win over Launceston City. The result moved them clear in fifth place and within striking distance of the top four. They will be looking to continue that momentum when they take on West Devonport, who were unable to back up their recent improvement and fell 3-1 to Tamar Churinga.

Launceston City have the bye this weekend.

In the Women’s competition, Queechy Penguins continue to set the pace at the top of the Women’s competition. The undefeated ladder leaders moved to 23 points after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over fourth-placed South Launceston in Round 9. This weekend they meet third-placed City Marians in a clash that could have a major impact on the top four race.

City Marians enter that clash full of confidence after edging out Launceston City 2-1 last round. Marians know another win this weekend would significantly strengthen their finals credentials and potentially reignite the race for the minor premiership.

South Burnie remain Queechy's closest challenger after recording a solid 3-1 victory away to Smithton in Round 9. The result lifted them to 20 points and maintained a three-point gap over City Marians. Their Round 10 matchup against South Launceston shapes as one of the most important games of the weekend. South Launceston pushed Queechy all the way last round before narrowly falling 3-2 and remain well placed in fourth position. A win would see them close the gap on the top three, while South Burnie will be eager to keep the pressure on the ladder leaders.

Launceston City will look to bounce back from their narrow loss to City Marians when they take on West Devonport. City remain just one point behind South Launceston and will be desperate to snap a three game losing skid that has seen fall out of the finals positions against a West Devonport side who need 3 points to get back in the finals mix.

Lastly, Smithton will be hoping to return to the winners list when they host Tamar Churinga. Smithton currently sit sixth on the ladder, while Tamar remain in search of their first victory of the season after another narrow defeat in Round 9. Both sides will view this as an opportunity to pick up a win.

Round 10 Fixtures

Men

Smithton v Tamar Churinga, 12:30pm, Smithton

Burnie Baptist v Queechy Penguins, 12:30pm, McKenna Park

South Launceston Suns v South Burnie, 2:00pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre 2

City Marians v West Devonport, 3:30pm, McKenna Park

Bye: Launceston City

Women

South Launceston v South Burnie, 12:30pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre 1

Smithton v Tamar Churinga, 2:00pm, Smithton

City Marians v Queechy Penguins, 2:00pm, McKenna Park

Launceston City v West Devonport, 2:00pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre 1