From Southernfootball.com.au

Premier League - Round 17

Clarence v New Norfolk

This week’s game should finally give the Eagles opportunity to quieten their critics about their capacity to win this years Premiership. When these two sides met in Round One of the season the Eagles were able to extract revenge on last years Grand Final performance by registering a stirring win against the Roos. Since then the Eagles have continued on with their winning form registering in excess of 100 point wins against two sides that make up the five. This week’s game will be just as intense with the Eagles making it an object to go through the season undefeated. A large crowd will travel down from the Valley to support their side in what should be an enthralling game.

Kingborough v Glenorchy

This match has a lot more riding on it than just the four premiership points. The winner of this game may have the advantage of hosting the Elimination Final at home. At present Glenorchy are four points in front of the Tigers and hold a healthy 14 percentage points lead over Kingborough. The Tigers will not only need to defeat Glenorchy but they will have to defeat them by a decent margin to reel them in. Both teams then front the top two sides with Kingborough playing Clarence and the Pies hosting New Norfolk. The Tigers may just hold the advantage over Glenorchy at their home ground and this could just be the advantage they require to register a win.

Hobart v North Hobart

The Lions host the Demons in a game that the Demons will be looking to bounce back from the smashing they received last week from the ladder leaders. North will be keeping one eye on the results from Bellerive Oval with them maybe going into second spot if the Roos are defeated by the Eagles. But first they will have to get over a young and enthusiastic Hobart side who, if they turn up ready to play this week, may cause a major upset. The youthful Lions are lacking consistency that comes with having such a young side but if they turn it as they have at times the Demons may see that game pass them by. There is no doubt that Brendon Bolton will have this in his mind as he takes his players through the paces at training this week.

Brighton v Lauderdale

Brighton and Lauderdale will fight out their second last game for them this season when they meet at Pontville. This game will have no bearing on the finals but will have a huge bearing on the final outcomes for both of the clubs. Lauderdale finished the 2004 season with four wins and will be looking to improve on last season with a win in the final two games so that an improvement can be seen in the clubs fortune this year. Brighton are yet to register a win but have shown in the past few weeks that they have the capacity to match sides with them winning quarters of football against quality opposition.

Regional League - Round 18

Huonville v Cygnet

The Lions will be happy to test themselves against ladder leaders Cygnet at home. Cygnet will have the advantage of a weeks rest after this game while the Lions will be waiting on the result of the Claremont v Kermandie game to see where they finish if they are defeated by Cygnet. Therefore the Lions have a lot to play for this week, not only the double chance but a chance to inflict a second defeat on Cygnet this season. The Lions have shown that they are finishing the season full of running after hitting a mid season slump. The inclusion of Nick Doyle and Nathan Longman to the side has freshened them up with some good results on the board. The rivalry between the two clubs is intense at the best of times and with this game having a lot riding on it in particular to bragging rights coming into the finals will ensure that a tight game will be the final outcome.

Dodges Ferry v Lindisfarne

The Sharks return home for their final game of the home and away rounds with the knowledge that they will be back their next week hosting the qualifying final. The one thing that they will not be sure on is whom they will be playing. Depending on the outcome of the Kermandie and Huonville games will determine whom they meet. Also getting back into a winning frame of mind will be important to the Sharks. Finishing this season clearly second on the ladder is a huge improvement from last season where the Sharks finished fourth on percentage. The chance of competing in the first week of the finals at home with the double chance will be of great benefit to the Sharks. Their position will be to come out of this game with a victory and also with few injury worries so that they can be at their best in the final series.

Sorell v Channel

Sorell host their final home and away game against the Saints safe in the knowledge that their spot in the final five is secure. The Saints had blown their chance of finals a few weeks ago so the intensity of this game has fallen away. The Eagles have really been on the back foot over the past few weeks with the loss of players through injury and suspension. The final result of this game will not so much determine the final outcome for the Eagles but more importantly for Sorell they will be looking to who is available injury wise for next week. The Eagles will have the job in front of them come finals time; a solid performance here will ensure that the Eagles enter the finals in the right frame of mind.

Claremont v Kermandie

The big interest around the League will be the final result of this game. The scenario is if Kermandie get over the line and Cygnet defeat Huonville then Kermandie will take third position on the ladder gaining the second chance but giving up a home final. A loss to Claremont or if Huonville inflict Cygnets third loss of the season Huonville may still hold third spot where Kermandie will drop to fourth spot losing the double chance but hosting a final, but if both Kermandie and Huonville register wins but Kermandie register a large win over Claremont then Kermandie may leap frog Huonville by percentage giving Kermandie third spot. No doubt the phone calls between the Huonville ground and Abbotsfield Park will be huge.