Zebras aim to end Warriors’ season

HOBART Zebras coach Tommy Fotak believes a win over rivals Olympia in tonight’s NPL Tasmania encounter would crush the Warriors’ title hopes.

Fotak has conceded that the fourth-placed Zebras are out of contention, having slipped 10 points behind Devonport Strikers at the top of the ladder, but he remains confident his team can still have a say in the destination of the title.

The third-placed Warriors are only six points off the pace with nine rounds to play, but the pressure is on with the Strikers and second-placed South Hobart expected to win their matches.

“A win would probably end Olympia’s hopes,” Fotak said.

“If we can beat them it will make it very hard for them to go on and win it.”

While the Warriors beat the Zebras 2-0 in the Lakoseljac Cup semi-finals on their way to the trophy, Fotak said revenge was not on his agenda.

“We just want to win games of football, and if we beat other teams in the top four then we have a say in where the title goes,” he said.

Warriors coach Kenny Weston agreed that his team needed to win tonight’s clash.

“Any defeat puts you on the back foot, and teams can then go further ahead so every game is ideally a must-win, so that’s the approach going into the game,” Weston said.

Both teams will be missing a host of stars through injury and suspension.

The Zebras will start once again without reigning Mitsubishi Medal winner Dwayne Walsh and Adam McKeown, while Jordan Muller picked up an injury last week.

Olympia will be missing Nick Mearns, Shane Cartwright and Hugh Undy through injury, while defender Lucas Hill is suspended.

Midfielder Shae Hickey is a chance to come into the side.

The Strikers host bottom side Clarence United at Valley Road tomorrow.

South Hobart is only a point behind Devonport and will be looking to remain in touch with a win over seventh-placed Launceston City at Buckby Land Rover Park tomorrow.

South hammered City 7-1 in Round 5, but City fought back to cause a 2-1 upset in the Lakoseljac Cup quarter-finals.

The sixth-placed Kingborough Lions take on the fifthplaced Northern Rangers at Lightwood Park.