Greater Northern League Round 11 Preview

Burnie Baptist remain unbeaten through nine matches after a convincing 3-0 victory over Queechy Penguins in Round 10. The competition leaders have now won every game this season, conceding just four goals while scoring 49, and will be overwhelming favourites when they travel to face seventh-placed West Devonport, with a perfect season still a live possibility.

The biggest clash of the round takes place at McKenna Park, where second-placed South Burnie meet fifth-placed City Marians. South Burnie produced one of the performances of Round 10 with a dominant 6-0 victory over South Launceston Suns, lifting their goal difference and maintaining their place inside the top two. City Marians also enter the contest in strong form after defeating West Devonport 4-1 to remain within striking distance of the top four. With only five points separating the sides, the Marians know an upset would be a major boost to their finals hopes heading into the second half of the season.

Smithton have quietly climbed into third place after a 5-2 win over Tamar Churinga in Round 10. The victory saw them move level on points with South Burnie and Queechy Penguins, separated only by goal difference. They now host South Launceston Suns in a match they will be expected to win as they look to consolidate their place inside the top four.

Queechy Penguins slipped from second to fourth following their defeat to Burnie Baptist but remain level on points with both South Burnie and Smithton. They will be looking to bounce back immediately when they host Launceston City. The Penguins know another loss could see them fall out of the top four, while Launceston City will be eager to snap their losing streak making it a key clash for both.

In the Women’s competition, Queechy strengthened their grip on top spot in Round 10 with a dominant 5-1 victory over third-placed City Marians. The win extended the Penguins' unbeaten record to ten matches and maintained their three-point lead over second-placed South Burnie. This week they travel to face West Devonport and will be expecting to continue their unbeaten season.

South Burnie remain Queechy's nearest challenger and they continued their strong season with a 4-2 victory over South Launceston. They next face City Marians in the match of the round in a battle of 2^nd v 3^rd on the ladder. City Marians remain third despite last week's defeat and will be keen to not drop successive games to key premierships rivals.

Launceston City climbed back into fourth place with an important 3-0 victory over West Devonport, leapfrogging South Launceston in the process. They now take on Tamar Churinga and will be aiming to consolidate their place inside the top four. Tamar are still searching for their first win of the season and will be hoping to cause an upset as City seek to lock in the last finals spot.

The remaining fixture sees Smithton host South Launceston. Smithton returned to the winners list with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Tamar Churinga in Round 10 but remain outside the finals positions. South Launceston, meanwhile, slipped to fifth after consecutive defeats and now face a must-win contest to remain in touch with the top four.

Men

Saturday 3 July

Smithton v South Launceston Suns, 12:30pm, Smithton

City Marians v South Burnie, 12:30pm, McKenna Park

West Devonport v Burnie Baptist, 12:30pm, Meercroft Park

Queechy Penguins v Launceston City, 12:30pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre

Women

Saturday 3 July

South Burnie v City Marians, 11:00am, McKenna Park

West Devonport v Queechy Penguins, 11:00am, Meercroft Park

Smithton v South Launceston, 2:00pm, Smithton

Tamar Churinga v Launceston City, 2:00pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre