In contrast to Tasmania's footy and netball state league ladders, where the Launceston teams occupy the top two spots, the soccer equivalent has the city's participants propping the rest up.

But since Olympic joined their neighbours in the competition last season, all four derbies have finished 2-1 with the newcomers winning three of them.

The competition's senior statesman Aaron Campbell has fond memories of those games and is confident the Launceston sides are getting closer to the big guns of Devonport and Hobart.

"The competition needs that rivalry," he said.

"You need a Launceston derby and over the last two seasons those games have been really close which is good and the State League needs one of the Launceston teams to compete in the top three and that's what I'm hoping for before I give it up.

"It's taken a long time for Launceston teams to catch up with where the Hobart sides are at, but I feel we're getting there now and there's a great opportunity ahead for the young guys with talent to get more limelight and exposure, especially with the FFA Cup."

A month ago, Campbell became the first NPL Tasmania player to reach 150 matches with his 29th game for Riverside adding to 121 for Launceston City.

The swim instructor, who turned 30 in July, said Alex Gaetani's men are keeping their heads above water since jumping in the deep end.

"The way Riverside are going about it is very smart. They develop what they've got and stick with it. It could be a long process but they have a lot of talent in that team and if they stick around they will be going pretty close next year."

Having missed Saturday's 4-1 loss at Clarence, Spanish creator Nil Sanz is back from suspension for Olympic while centre-back Tom Prince and skipper Taylor Neilson will need to pass fitness tests.

City also hope to welcome their captain back with leading scorer Sam Ridgard looking to return from a persistent foot injury.