The biggest game on the Tasmanian football calendar is set to play out at KGV at 4:30pm on Monday as the Glenorchy Knights and Olympia clash for the Lakoseljac Cup and a spot in the Westfield FFA Cup Round of 32.
With both the silverware and a Westfield FFA Cup spot on the line it’s sure to be a massive occasion with both sides set to leave everything out on the field in their quest for victory. It should be a bumper crowd and if both teams play to their potential, they should be treated to a cracking game of football.
It may be an NPL v Championship match up, but it just doesn’t feel like there is an obvious favourite heading into this one, it looks an incredibly tight match up on paper. Perhaps it’s because they’re in different leagues and there are no recent matches between the sides that it’s hard to get a feel for what to expect but the anticipation around this one is palpable and the general mood is that this has the makings of a cup classic.
In their cup run Knights have demonstrated they are more than good enough to mix it with the best in the NPL. They had a Lions side parking the bus against them such was how they were viewed by their opposition, they beat the current NPL ladder leaders in Devonport and then they thoroughly smashed Launceston City on route to get here.
There is no doubt if they were in the top tier, they would be among the top sides competing for the title. They are a very physical side, perhaps as best evidenced by the masterpiece that has been doing the rounds on social media this week.
Whilst Nowicki will miss through suspension, between the Foley boys and Sherman there is no shortage of grunt in the side. But don’t go thinking that is entirely the Knights M.O, there is still plenty of class and skill in the side to compliment that physical edge littered throughout the side.
Ethan Engles scores for fun, Sherman is one of the finest exponents over the dead ball in the state and Tyler Harrison remains one of the best ball playing centre halves around.
CLICK HERE for the full preview, including audio from both coaches ahead of the match.
