Launceston City expects to know before stepping out onto the pitch on Saturday whether Jez Kenth’s men can extend its lead at the top of the NPL Tasmania table.
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The hope of moving from six points to eight ahead will depend on the outcome between Devonport City and South Hobart at Valley Road.
The final whistle on the other two top-three teams blows just minutes before City’s twilight clash kicks off at Buckby Land Rover Park.
A draw on the coast and home victory against fifth-placed Olympia Warriors can solidify City’s grip on the club’s breakthrough season towards a first state title.
But a circumspect first-year coach is not buying it.
“I see us being four points up until we play South and Devonport,” Kenth said.
“You’re ahead of the game until you play those two teams again as the full second round has not finished.
“We’ve played the bottom half of the teams so far, while Devonport have really played the stronger teams.
“It’s hard to gauge where we are at this stage.
“So as far as I am concerned, we haven’t and won’t consolidate that lead yet.
“We still have just a four-point gap from the end of round one. In saying that I will take their draw – that will do us quite nicely.”
City remarkably have yet to drop a league game, with eight wins and two draws.
But the one-time Hobart Zebras coach is also wary of what Olympia can bring.
“They’ve got solid defence, they’ve got big guys, they’re very dangerous on the set piece, so we will have our work cut out,” Kenth said.
“We have to bring our A-game against a side like Olympia. They’re hungry – they’re still in the race.
“Others may have written them off, but I haven’t.”
Points are also precious for Northern Rangers.
The trip to face perennial strugglers Clarence United is the chance to claim points for the first time since the opening game of May against Kingborough Lions.
Rangers have gone on to lose four games straight.
“Clarence sees us as one of their best option for points,” coach Lino Sciulli said.
“So they’d be busting a bit to get at us. I guess the first 10 to 15 minutes we’ll see how it all pans out.”
Rangers enter Sunday’s encounter down key players through suspension.
Mitch Jones had been red-carded against their City rival whereas Daniel Cristy was given two yellow cards.
Alex Fulton remains under an injury cloud after suffering concussion a week earlier.
Sciulli said there is no lack of motivation and while the spirit is willing, the mind and body is struggling.
“I don’t think many young players realise the intensity and also the difficulty of this league,” he said.
“The problem with young players is they fatigue without even knowing it and it becomes hard to do it week in, week out.”