Greater Northern League Round 17 Preview

The Greater Northern League season enters its penultimate round this weekend, with the minor premiership, finals positions and ladder placings still to be decided.

The round begins under lights on Friday night, with second-placed Queechy Penguins taking on the South Launceston Suns at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre.

Queechy continued their strong run of form with a 7-1 victory over Tamar Churinga last weekend, moving three points clear of South Burnie in second place. With a seven-goal goal difference advantage, another victory would almost secure the Penguins the double chance heading into the final round.

South Launceston played out a scoreless draw with Launceston City in Round 16, moving them onto 10 points and into sixth place on goal difference. With only one point separating the bottom four sides, every result in the final fortnight will be significant in determining the final positions.

Nex up, Launceston City will take on City Marians at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre on Saturday, with the visitors fighting to keep their finals hopes alive.

City Marians suffered a 6-1 defeat against undefeated ladder leaders Burnie Baptist last weekend, leaving them five points behind fourth-placed Smithton. With only two rounds remaining, Marians must win both and hope Smithton lose both if they are to make finals.

Launceston City earned a point from their 0-0 draw with South Launceston but sit eighth due to goal difference. They will be looking to climb a congested lower section of the ladder and potentially end Marians’ finals challenge.

The match of the round will take place at McKenna Park, where third-placed South Burnie face fourth-placed Smithton.

South Burnie had the bye last weekend and enter the round three points behind Queechy in the battle for the double chance. They need claim three points to keep the pressure on the Penguins ahead of the final round.

Smithton strengthened their hold on fourth place with an entertaining 7-3 victory over West Devonport in Round 16. They now sit five points clear of City Marians and can guarantee their place in the finals with a point here given their enormous goal difference advantage over Marians.

The final match of the round sees West Devonport host Tamar Churinga at Meercroft Park.

West Devonport found the net three times against Smithton last weekend but were unable to contain their opponents in a 7-3 defeat. They remain at the foot of the ladder on nine points, only one behind Tamar, Launceston City and South Launceston.

Tamar suffered a 7-1 loss to Queechy but remain seventh on goal difference. With the bottom four separated by a solitary point, victory for either side could produce a significant climb up the ladder ahead of the final weekend.

Undefeated ladder leaders Burnie Baptist have the bye after extending their perfect record to 15 victories with a 6-1 win over City Marians. Having already secured the minor premiership, they will enter the final round with the opportunity to complete an unbeaten regular season.

Round 17 of the Women’s GNL begins under lights on Friday night, as unbeaten ladder leaders Queechy Penguins take on the South Launceston Suns at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre.

Queechy continued their dominant campaign with an 8-0 victory over Tamar Churinga last weekend, extending their record to 13 wins and three draws. The Penguins have remain three points clear of South Burnie at the top of the ladder, and given their significant goal difference advantage, a win would secure them the minor premiership.

South Launceston, meanwhile produced a strong effort in a 2-2 draw against City Marians but it wasn’t the win they needed and their finals hopes are now hanging by a thread. The Suns now sit six points behind fourth-placed Launceston City and must win their remaining two matches, while also relying on City to lose their last 2 whilst making up 9 goals on them.

On Saturday, South Burnie will continue their pursuit of the minor premiership when they face Smithton at McKenna Park.

South Burnie recorded an important 3-2 victory over Launceston City in Round 16, keeping them within three points of Queechy. Smithton climbed to 15 points with a 2-1 victory over West Devonport last weekend. While they can no longer reach the finals, they have now opened a six-point gap over seventh place and will look to carry their winning momentum into a difficult assignment against one of the competition’s leading sides.

West Devonport will host Tamar Churinga at Meercroft Park in a contest between the bottom two. Tamar remain at the foot of the ladder and are still searching for their first victory. With only two matches remaining, this represents one of Tamar’s final opportunities to break through for a win, while West Devonport will be looking to create further separation from the bottom of the table.

The final match of the round shapes as a crucial contest between Launceston City and City Marians at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre.

Marians moved into third place following their 2-2 draw with South Launceston, taking them one point clear of Launceston City. City slipped to fourth after their narrow 3-2 defeat against South Burnie and will be eager to secure at least a point to lock away finals.

Round 17 Fixtures

Men

Friday 14 August
Queechy Penguins v South Launceston Suns, 6:00pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre 1

Saturday 15 August
Launceston City v City Marians, 12:30pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre 1
South Burnie v Smithton, 2:00pm, McKenna Park
West Devonport v Tamar Churinga, 2:00pm, Meercroft Park

Bye: Burnie Baptist

Women

Friday 14 August
Queechy Penguins v South Launceston, 7:30pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre 1

Saturday 15 August
South Burnie v Smithton, 12:30pm, McKenna Park
West Devonport v Tamar Churinga, 12:30pm, Meercroft Park
Launceston City v City Marians, 2:00pm, Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre 1