Greater Northern League Round 18 Preview

Published Fri 21 Aug 2026

The Greater Northern League regular season concludes this weekend, and while both competitions’ top fours are locked in, there is still plenty to play for.

In the Men’s competition, the action begins at McKenna Park, where fifth-placed City Marians take on the South Launceston Suns.

City Marians kept their late-season push going with a 3-2 victory over Launceston City last weekend. While they can no longer reach the finals, the result secured fifth place, and they will look to finish the campaign strongly with an eighth victory.

South Launceston earned an impressive point from a 4-4 draw with second-placed Queechy in Round 17, taking their tally to five draws for the season. The Suns sit seventh, level on points with Launceston City and Tamar Churinga, with a win potentially offering them a sixth-place finish.

The headline match of the round will see Queechy Penguins take on South Burnie at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre in a potential Week 2 finals preview.

Queechy were held to a 4-4 draw by South Launceston last weekend but have secured second place and the double chance. The Penguins have lost only twice this season and are the competition’s highest-scoring side outside of Burnie Baptist.

South Burnie fell 5-2 to Smithton in Round 17, which could prove significant, as they will meet again in the first week of the finals.

While Saturday’s result will not alter either side’s first-week finals match-up, it provides both teams with an important opportunity to gain a psychological edge before a potential finals rematch.

Minor premiers Burnie Baptist return from the bye to face Tamar Churinga at McKenna Park.

Burnie have produced a flawless campaign to date, winning all 15 matches while scoring 85 goals and conceding only 12. One more victory would complete a perfect regular season and send them into the finals with their unbeaten record intact.

Tamar slipped to the foot of the ladder following a 3-1 defeat against West Devonport last weekend. They remain level with Launceston City and South Launceston on 10 points, however, and can still climb off the bottom if they can cause a boilover here.

The final match of the regular season pits Launceston City against Smithton at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre.

Launceston City narrowly fell 3-2 to City Marians in Round 17, leaving them eighth on goal difference.

Smithton secured their place in the finals with an impressive 5-2 victory over South Burnie last weekend and will want to keep that momentum rolling into their finals campaign.

West Devonport have the bye after finishing their regular season with a 3-1 victory over Tamar Churinga. The result lifted them to sixth place on 12 points, where they will finish unless one of the three teams immediately below them claims victory in the final round.

In the Greater Northern League Women’s competition, the action begins at McKenna Park, where third-placed City Marians take on West Devonport.

Marians played out a scoreless draw with Launceston City last weekend, keeping them one point ahead of their rivals in the battle for third, meaning a win here will guarantee a third-place finish.

West Devonport recorded their third win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Tamar Churinga in Round 17, moving them into double figures for the season.

Launceston City will have to hope Marians slip up and, as they play later, will know whether a home final remains a possibility when they face Smithton at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre.

Smithton fell to a 5-2 defeat at the hands of South Burnie last week, meaning sixth is now as high as they can finish.

The headline match of the final round pits unbeaten ladder leaders Queechy Penguins against second-placed South Burnie at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre in a potential grand final preview.

Queechy continued their dominant campaign with a 7-0 victory over South Launceston last weekend, extending their record to 14 wins and three draws and effectively locking away the minor premiership. The only exception would be a 20-goal defeat in this match, given the 39-goal difference buffer they hold over South Burnie, who could still draw level on points with a win.

The regular season concludes with fifth-placed South Launceston taking on bottom-placed Tamar Churinga at the Aurora Energy Northern Hockey Centre.

The Suns suffered a 7-0 defeat against Queechy last weekend, officially ending their finals hopes. They are guaranteed to finish fifth but will be eager to close their campaign with a sixth victory.

Tamar came close to breaking through against West Devonport before falling 2-1. Still searching for their first win of the season, they have one final opportunity to finish the campaign on a high.