The North's two NPL coaches have both hit back at detractors keen to take pop shots at the region's soccer.
Launceston and Riverside fought out an absorbing five-goal thriller last week, which City won through a last-minute Gedi Krusa penalty.
Although Olympic missed out on points, coach Alex Gaetani was proud of how his young team responded from an 8-0 mauling at the hands of champion-elect Devonport just three nights earlier.
"We've copped it from left, right and centre, particularly online, after Tuesday night," he said.
"Some people don't understand that these are human beings and Tasmanian football can be an unprofessional place at times.
"We're in a vulnerable spot, and not because we are not good enough. We've lost so much and had so many setbacks with injuries and suspensions and can only do as much as we can.
"I think they all responded really well to Tuesday. There is nothing wrong with their mentality in terms of wanting to win but they are getting no help. We're doing the best we can."
In contrast, his opposite number at City, Lino Sciulli said a fourth win from five games had successfully lifted the mood at Prospect Park.
"When we were bottom of the ladder, a lot of people wrote us off," he said.
"When I was appointed coach some people thought we would not win a game this season but here we are. We now have 16 points and I would love to be in the 20s by the end of the season."
A hamstring injury to teenage striker Will Fleming prompted a change of formation for City against Riverside, Will Compagne repaying a switch to a more attacking role by registering his first NPL Tasmania goal.
However, Sciulli wasn't happy with his side's performance against their winless Northern neighbours, describing it as "sloppy" and "complacent" and producing only "patches of good football".
Asked if he thought his team deserved the 3-2 win, Sciulli said: "You don't deserve anything in this game. You've got to make what you get. We've lost plenty of games in the last few years where we thought we deserved to win."
The sides play simultaneously on Saturday, Olympic chasing a first win against third-bottom Clarence while City welcome second-placed Glenorchy to Prospect Park.
Fresh off three straight wins, Launceston United have a bye in the Women's Super League this weekend.
Round 16, Saturday
2pm South Hobart v Olympia, Darcy Street
4.30 Launceston City v Glenorchy, Prospect Park
4.30pm Riverside Olympic v Clarence Zebras, Windsor Park
Ladder
TEAM P W D L GD Pts
Devonport 15 12 1 2 +30 37
Glenorchy 14 10 3 1 +29 33
S Hobart 14 8 4 2 +18 28
Kingborough 15 6 3 6 -3 21
Launceston C 14 5 1 8 -14 16
Clarence 14 4 2 8 -9 14
Olympia 14 3 2 9 -16 11
Riverside 14 0 2 12 -35 2
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
