While City boss Roger Hardwicke's task is one of expectation control following his team's headline-grabbing Lakoseljac Cup defeat of the Strikers, Riverside counterpart Alex Gaetani must brace for an inevitable backlash from the reigning champions.

Due to face Launceston opposition for four successive Saturdays, Devonport head to Windsor Park a fortnight after edging a home friendly against Olympic with a solitary late goal.

Gaetani's men will be looking to forget a disappointing Lakoseljac Cup exit at the hands of University.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Returning skipper Taylor Neilson is set for a longer stint in front of the back four while Mexican winger Jhostan Padron should make his home debut.

Gaetani said Olympic looked light up front and he will look to reinforce the team with players from the under-20 side which won at Clarence.

"Without Ryan (McCarragher) and Chris (Wademan) we do not have an out and out no.9 who can hold the ball up and relieve the pressure on our defence so we will look to fill that role," he said.

However, the coach was pleased with the new-look back four of Ethan Olner and Tom Prince flanked by Jasper King and Will Humphrey.

Meanwhile, City travel to South Hobart whose coach Ken Morton was among the spectators for Saturday's 2-1 cup win over Devonport.

"I watched their game in the summer cup final and can tell they are very well coached," Hardwicke said.

"They like to play the way I do. They move the ball quickly and on the deck and have a lot of good young players.

"It's another stern test for us to see where we're at.

"While we had a great result at the weekend, it means nothing if we don't turn up this week and put in the same performance. It's about being consistently good. We've shown how well we can play, we just need to replicate it week in, week out.

"We are here to build a winning side capable of challenging for honours and that doesn't happen overnight."

Fresh from scoring both goals in the cup win, English import Rob Gerrard revealed City have set themselves the target of being a top-three side this season.

Praising Gedi Krusa's versatility for the wide role he played against his old club, Hardwicke said his team had pulled up well from the thriller.

"We had a couple of guys with cramp but in such a difficult game with a lengthy stoppage you are always going to get some muscle fatigue."