Greater Northern League: Week 1 Finals Preview

Published Fri 28 Aug 2026

The Men’s first semi-final sees Smithton host South Burnie in an elimination clash between two remarkably evenly matched sides.

The teams finished the regular season level on both points and goal difference, with Smithton securing third place and home-ground advantage by virtue of scoring more goals. Their first meeting ended in a thrilling 4–4 draw, before Smithton claimed a 5–2 victory in the most recent encounter.

If South Burnie are to return to the Grand Final in 2026, they will have to begin their finals campaign with a win on the road.

There was no such congestion at the top of the ladder, with defending premiers Burnie Baptist powering through the regular season with a perfect 16 wins from 16 matches and an imposing goal difference of +80.

Now just two victories away from completing a perfect season, Baptist face Queechy Penguins in the second semi-final. The Penguins lost only twice on their way to an 11–3–2 record and finished seven points clear in second place, but both defeats came against this weekend’s opponents.

Baptist won their first meeting 9–2 in Round 2, before recording a tighter 3–0 victory in Round 10. The winner will advance directly to the Grand Final, while the loser will host either Smithton or South Burnie in the preliminary final.

In the Women’s first semi-final, Launceston City host City Marians in a do-or-die encounter.

Both teams finished the 18-game regular season on 28 points, with City recording a 7–7–4 record and Marians finishing 8–6–4. City’s superior goal difference secured third place and home-ground advantage.

The sides have met three times this season, with each encounter proving close and low-scoring. Marians won the first clash 2–1 at McKenna Park, before the following two meetings ended in 1–1 and 0–0 draws.

Both draws came during August, making this their third meeting in five weeks. The teams will be acutely aware of what to expect, but this time something must give: the winner advances to the preliminary final, while the loser’s season comes to an end.

The second semi-final brings together the competition’s top two sides, with Queechy Penguins facing South Burnie in a rematch of last season’s Grand Final.

Defending premiers Queechy remain unbeaten this season, while South Burnie’s only defeat came against the Penguins in Round 6. Their other two meetings both ended in draws, including a 1–1 result last weekend.

Neither side could change its ladder position in that encounter, but the stakes are significantly higher this time, with a place in the 2026 Grand Final awaiting the winner.