South puts target on Mann’s back for cup final

SOUTH Hobart coach Ken Morton believes his side can go a long way towards winning today’s Lakoseljac Cup final against the Devonport Strikers by stopping their red-hot captain.

Brayden Mann, who played for South in 2014 and 2015, has been on fire for Devonport this year, leading the NPL Tasmania goal-scoring chart with 15 goals from nine goals.

Morton said his team would be focused on cutting off Mann’s supply in today’s final at KGV.

“He’s a lethal finisher, so all the good work that Devonport do, he’s generally on the end of that. He’s a vital player within their system,” Morton said.

“When you play a team like Devonport, it’s how you can stop the flow of the ball into the front third, the service into Brayden, so we have to make sure we stop the crosses coming in, we’re stopping the long ball coming at us, and try and make it hard for him to get on the ball.

“They don’t just have Brayden, they have a very good team of local players as well, mixed in with their two imports.”

The winner of today’s match also earns Tasmania’s coveted spot in the FFA Cup, and Morton said that was an extra carrot for his players.

Mann said the Strikers would embrace today’s challenge. “We know it’s not going to be easy, [but] we’re obvious- ly confident and we back ourselves,” he said.

The two sides have both tasted Lakoseljac Cup success in recent years — South last won in 2015, while the Strikers beat South 1-0 in the final in 2016.

Devonport is second and South is third in the NPL Tas, and they have met once in the league this year, with a late goal helping the Strikers to a 2-1 win at Darcy Street.

Oscar Thomas and Isaac Degetto are unavailable for South, while Devonport has a full squad from which to pick.

South forward Renato De Vecchi looms as a danger for the Strikers, having scored five goals in his past two Lakoseljac Cup matches.

Kick-off is at 2pm.