Friday 31 August 2012

Rangers beat Devonport to go through to the state final 2012

Rangers 2 (Hunt, Ambrose penalty) def Devonport 1 (Holden)

Ht Rangers 2 - 0

Rangers held off a late charge from Devonport to go through to next weeks state grand final.
The ever so reliable Chris Hunt opened the scoring for the Rangers in the first half. Also before half te Rangers were rewarded a penalty. Mark "Funky" Ambrose stepped up to take the spot kick.
Devonports keeper "Smith" saved the spot kick but the official had called an infringement and Ambrose made no mistake this time to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead at half time.

Devonport scored a goal with about 10 minutes to go from young gun Michael Holden.This giving Devonport a late charge to try and go into extra time but the Rangers held off and now will play the winner of South Hobart and Ulverstone today at 1pm at Darcy st Hobart.

Come on the reds to make it an all NPL final.



TODAY'S RESULT

South Hobart 5 def Ulverstone 1 (Mann)

Thursday 30 August 2012

One Northern Side to be competing for State Title after Semi finals.

Luke Tuma returns to the starting line up this week
for Rangers against Devonport.
It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that one Northern Side will be competing for the 2012 Forestry Tasmania State Championship next week, the quandary is who and could it be an all Northern Final?  If that is the case, where would you play such a game, given that neither side should have the home ground advantage?
Enough of the hypothetical, let’s look at the facts.
Game one is Friday night at the NTCA at 8pm.  Rangers were forced to go for an un conventional kick off time due to the NTCA being booked for NTFA div one semi finals on Saturday, so after much discussion with Devonport, it was settled to play at this time.
Rangers have everyone available from last week’s win on penalties with Kingborough, making one change only, picking Luke Tuma at centre back in front of Sam Nugteren for the extra pace of the Devonport forward line.
Gabriel Tams retains his place upfront after a fine match last week, forcing his way into the senior line up at the business end of the season.
Everyone else is fresh, and Rangers coach Peter McBeath is excited at the prospect of another crack at the side his side is yet to beat this year.

Kiren Mulraney will hope to replicate his early season form
against Rangers after his partner Joe Toner returned to Ireland.
Pic - Adam Cai.

“We have five players in this weeks starting eleven that didn’t start or play in our loss at Valley road, Marshall Pooley in goals, Gabriel Tams and Mark Ambrose up front with Luke Tuma and Adam MacIntyre in defense, we are stronger now and really happy with the way the boys are going at the moment.”
Devonport will have to deal with the loss of speedy forward Joe Toner who has returned to Ireland, but have plenty of talent outside the starting line up to cover him.
Player Coach Chris McKenna showed he has lost nothing even after spending most of the year as a sub, starting against Newtown and scoring a brilliant goal in the 60 minutes he played.
When asked how his Hamstrings were, his response was, “Im not sure i’ve got any left?”
Devonport will bring a big bus south from Valley road and hope to have plenty of vocal support travelling with them.
$4 flat entry fee for the game and the weather looks to have come good just in time.

Brayden Mann scores against Clarence, and will I am certain
against South Hobart this week.
Pic Adam Cai.

Ulverstone travel to South Hobart to do battle with Nick Owen and Brayen Mann’s old side.  Mann will know them well and will be well guarded by the South Hobart back line, with Coach Ken Morton knowing all too well how the young striker goes about his business.
South Hobart will sweat on the form and fitness of their own go to man in Andy Brennan who only played 60 minutes against Prospect last week, when Andy is on form, he is in the top three players in the state, but at present, he is little more than a contributor, and South will need more than an effort from Brennan to make it to the final.
Ulverstone will be without Adam Conkie who Coach Nick Owen says is unavailable on family commitments.
“I'm not sure if he (Adam Conkie) could have played anyway as I'm not sure whether the 5 yellow card rule still applies if you get your 5th in the finals. He definitely had his angry pants on last week and if I didn't take him off he was probably going to get sent off.”
Nick Owen embraces the underdog tag going into this match, and that alone might just get Ulverstone over the line in what has been a great season for the club, who have been starved of success in the last decade and a half.
“We haven't started too many games this year where we have been underdogs.  South Hobart have beaten us twice in recent history, both times it has been 5-0. In last year's final 4 and this year's Hudson cup we have had depleted sides out on the park, but this time we are nearly at full strength and should put in a much better showing.”
Sam Thomson came on for Adam Conkie last week and lifted the intensity, so the young lad will take Adam's place in the team.  Joel Stone has asked to play in the middle of the park against Shae Hickey so I have moved him in to the centre and will push Thomson out to the right of midfield.”
“ Brayden Mann pulled up a little bit sore on Tuesday night so he will rest tonight and he should be ready to go on Saturday.”
“Cedric Cox-Haines will be in goal again. I was really pleased with him last week and I am confident he will do a good job again for us this week. Ben Foote has been the big motivator within this team all year and he is getting the squad pumped up and ready to give a battle worthy of a state semi-final.”
This game will be at Darcy st on Saturday, kicking off at 1pm.
Try your best to split these four, it doesn’t matter who wins though, they will all make a fantastic final next week, good luck to all involved, the mouths are watering!


Tuesday 28 August 2012

Forestry Tasmania State Championship Semi Finals

Friday 31st August:
Northern Rangers vs Devonport – NTCA, KO 8pm
Saturday 1st September
South Hobart Vs Ulverstone – Darcy St, KO 1pm

Saturday 25 August 2012

Thursday 23 August 2012

Final Four Set to Test the North.

Gabriel Tams (Centre) will start for the Rangers this weekend.
The first taste of next year’s Victory League will be on offer this weekend with two Victory League sides going up against each other in Northern Rangers and Kingborough Lions, while Premier League sides in Prospect Knights and Newtown will play Victory League sides in South Hobart and Devonport respectively, the all Premier League fixture is between Ulverstone and Clarence.
Rangers V Kingborough will kick off at 2pm at the NTCA.  Northern Rangers will be without Scott Murray who left for a scholarship in the US on Sunday after securing the title with his club, with Patty Lanau-Atkinson coming into the line up to replace Murray.  Other than that, the Rangers remain unchanged bar the no show from substitute Simon Petrusma at training this week, his spot will be taken by Gabriel Tams, who also finds himself in the starting line up for the first time this year, after back 30+ goals in the Reserves.
Damien Pearce is the only exclusion from the Kingborough Lions line up this week, he is out through suspension.
Kingborough Coach Matthew Rhodes doesn’t believe the anyone expects his side to win this week, and is approaching the game as the under dogs in his mind, taking the pressure off his boys.  This will be the first time Northern Rangers and Kingborough Lions have ever met, and both sides will be keen to progress to the next round and challenge for the State Title.
Prospect Knights will have a tough job travelling to South Hobart with a under strength side.  Knights are without Mark Barker (suspended) goal keeper Kris Beardwood is unavailable along with Sean Harris.  Nathan Balym is recovering from foot surgery too.
South will be rearing to go, particularly after many of their players were involved in the match Vs Melbourne Victory earlier in the week.
South have barely put a foot wrong again this year, but only just shaved the title for the fifth successive year, in a arm wrestle with New Town Eagles, and go into this year’s State Final Series as the Favourites to win it for the third straight year.  
The only other team with their name on the Forestry Tasmania State Championship shield is Clarence United, and they must travel to Ulverstone and win away to progress at 12 midday at the Ulverstone Show grounds.
Clarence will know the ground well, having played Rangers there in 2009, winning on penalties and eventually taking the State title from 4th on the SPL Table.
Start recruits Ortiz and Cairns are under injury clouds, but if they play, Clarence could mount a charge at the title if they can pass Ulverstone.

Joel Stone will be hard to contain in midfield for
Ulverstone

Ulverstone will be no push over, as I rate them as one of the best sides in the state at present.  No prizes for guessing who they will turn to for goals, Brayden Mann has been in great form and on cloud nine after a fine State appearance earlier in the week.  But Mann is only one part of a powerful line up, with both Conkie boy’s expected to line up next to him, with Stone, Ben Foote and Crocker through midfield.  Ulverstone also have the best defensive record in the NPL, though this part of their team is probably their weakest link, it speak volumes of their ability, and I expect they will progress at the expense of an impressive Clarence line up.
Devonport have a tough ask going to Clare Street, but have the ability if they can apply themselves. Arguably the strongest striking pair in Mckeown and Lezinski for Eagles will give the Devonport defense constant headaches, and Liam Scott is in career best form in midfield.
Devonport will be missing talented young pairing in Michael Holden and Jesse Curran, but Coach Chris McKenna is expected to line up for the Strikers, with Bradly Chilcott coming into midfield for Curran.
As much as the North would like to see Devonport progress, the task in front of them is difficult, and I can’t see Newtown losing two weeks in a row.

Monday 20 August 2012

AND THE WINNER IS........

Thanks to all who kept tipping through out the year.
Not only can these guys win titles but they win the bloody tipping too.
Well done lads....

Final Ladder

1st GIBBLES 62

2nd Patty L.A 59

Tied 3rd Bobby 53
              Captain Australia(Donk) 53

Tied 4th Ben Foote 51
              A.B 51

Tied 5th Twang 47
              N.B 47

6th Sam 46

7th Chance (good fight back) 41

8th T.D 36

Last SMP 31

Prizes can be collected at the FFT dinner at the casino as i know the top three will attend.

Saturday 18 August 2012

Northern Rangers win 2012 Title.

Northern Rangers 4 (S.Murray 2, T.Hingston, M.Ambrose) def Somerset (D.Eaves)
Devonport Strikers 6 (K.Mulaney, N.Gratton, C.Lizotte, J.Curran, M.Holden, J.Toner) def Riverside Olympic 2 (S.Guldbrandson, O.Edmundson)
Launceston United 4 (M. Hawksley, A.Rigby, Saeed Bin Sumaida, N.Bartlett) def Burnie United 3 (K.Seymour, A.Gibson 2)
Prospect Knights 3 (S.Harris) def Launceston City 0

Northern Rangers Celebrate the 2012 Title.


Northern Rangers sealed the title on the last week of the year with a 4-1 win over Somerset.  But not without some early pressure from the visitors.

Scott Murray played a fine game this weekend but has
now left for the US on a college football scholarship.

Somerset Coach John Wheeler was frustrated before a ball had been kicked with a Chris Smith sms stating he was now unable to play. But it didnt affect the start for the Sharks, as they took the game right up to Rangers in the first half and had them under the pump.
Rangers coughed up possession at the back and Danny Eaves swooped to collect the ball and dispatch the opener.  Rangers responded with two goals through Scott Murray.
 `
Rangers will entertain Kingborough Lions at the NTCA next weekend for the first clash between these two clubs ever.
Ulverstone had to settle for second place as they had to sit the week out with the bye and could do nothing but watch and hope for a Ranger hiccup, but will look forward to a home final next week against New Clarence United in the State Championship Final Series.
Devonport over came Riverside 6-2, and although the score line may not suggest a close encounter, Chris Mckenna said Riverside served it up to his Strikers, and Riverside obviously had to throw players forward to try and find the win, but it cost them goals on the break and Devonport consolidated third spot in another very tight season, that saw first and third separated by just two points.
Devonport will travel next weekend to Clare St to play Newtown Eagles who finished second in the SPL.
Prospect reclaimed 4th spot by goal difference knocking of arch Rival Launceston City 3-0 thanks to a Sean Harris hat trick.  They will take on South Hobart next week in a tough encounter in Hobart.
Launceston needed a last gasp winner to get over Burnie 4-3 at home and finish their best season in a long time, being more than competitive in 2012 and having a say in the title will give great confidence to the club going forward.
For Burnie it meant a winless season for them, but a season where they pushed more than their fair share of opponents to the last whistle.

Rangers V Somerset Goals

Friday 17 August 2012

Final Round of tipping

Sorry boys, Just go the SMS that Samwise could not get the tipping up.
Have a go, not sure what the ladder is either

Rangers V Somerset
Devonport V Riverside
Prospect V City
Launceston V Burnie

Thursday 16 August 2012

Launceston City first to reveal 2013 V League coach and interview

                                           Dane taking time out to pose for a pic


I had the chance to catch up with Dane Hudson this week, He has been appointed Launceston City's Victory League coach for 2013.

S.C Firstly Dane congratulations on your new appointment.
D.H. Thanks Sam , very humble, only myself and seven other guys have been accepted to coach at this level. I am very excited as this is the first time i am able to coach at this level.The new role will allow me to see where i am as a coach and will ask alot of me as a person and coach.


S.C The opportunity to coach in the state league, was that something that has been in the move to city or was it just lucky timing?
D.H I left the Knights not having a position, a few clubs had contacted me about coaching or playing a role in their clubs. Yes, the Victory League was always in the back of my mind but just finding a role within a club was my main priority. So no, my decision to move to City was not based on the V League.

S.C What are you hoping to get out of this personally?
D.H Firstly, learn more about mt self as a coach, at the end of the day in my eyes its not about me, it's about the club, where its heading and the players. I guess also, developing the group that i have next year to a succesful and winning team.

S.C From a club point of view, what are their expectations for the 2013 V League?
D.H To give opportunities to players who are looking and willing to step up and play at the highest level in Tasmania and creating a pathway for junior players. Also to develop our playing group to be successful and a winning team.

S.C What angle are you going to approach in the way of your side?
D.H To be at the pointy end, we need a good keeper and a great striker to keep us in the game, and to score the winning goal when it is needed. But the players for next year all have to be there for the right reasons.

S.C After a poor start to this year, City are now finishing off the year in great form, Fighting to play for the finals and stopping fellow V league team the Rangers from taking the title in your last game. Has the fight come from knowing that you are in the V league next year?
D.H I think the desire has come from with in the group.The players have their drive and want to own their own sucess. So no, its all with in the group and the confidence has grown bigger from the first round.

S.C City are known for bringing in imports over the years, with some strong based southern teams looking out side of Tasmania, will City be doing the same?
D.H I would not discount it. You bring the NPL mentality into the V league and you will be dealt with accordingly, so we will look at it.

S.C One of the criterias for the V league were great facilities. There are some people out there that believe that City should not have been granted their licence due to their change rooms. Is the an upgrade before 2013?
D.H (laughs) There was more to the criteria than that, so yeah a lick of paint and a new toilet seat are in order to be done.

S.C Do you think there should be a salary cap?
D.H There is a points cap, So i think it will be evident as the season opens up. So the haves and have nots and the got what i wants will be evident.

Thank you again Dane for your open comments.Sorry for the spelling and puncuation but readers, You get the idea.

Danes mobile and preseason is below.
DANE HUDSON
0418134429
Preseason starts 10th October,
Venue will be advised
                                           Dane doing what he does best, Talking football.

Sunday 12 August 2012

State Squad Selected for Match V Melbourne Victory.

Today at 12:30 FFT will officially announce the Tasmanian squad to play Melbourne Victory in a pre season warm up match.
We can reveal that three players from the North made the cut, no supprises with Todd Hingston and Brayden Mann, but congratulations to the dark horse and very much under rated Ryan McCarragher.
The State side is:
1)      N.Pitchford
2)      Ferguson
3)      E.Luttmer
4)      Stevens
5)      H.Ludford (c)
6)      C.Williams
7)      R.McCarragher
8)      L.Scott
9)      T.Hingston
10)   S.Hickey
11)   L.Feral
12)   De Smit
13)   A.Mckeown
14)   B.Mann
15)   A.Leszcynski
16)   A.Brennan
Nathan Gratton is the emergency and still highly likely to make the cut, with the business end of the season in full swing, there is every chance someone will stretch themselves to far on the weekend.
Congratulations to all who made the cut, and from in particular those from the North.
Good luck and enjoy the experience.

Rangers V City Highlights and Interviews

http://youtu.be/RvbozokPaC4

Saturday 11 August 2012

City V Rangers Goals

Round 17 Results

Launceston City 4 (J.Duncan 2, B.Kossman 2) def Northern Rangers 3 (M.Ambrose 2, T.Hingston)

Ulverstone 6 def Launceston 2

Riverside 1 drew Prospect Knights 1

Somerset 2 def Burnie 0

TEAM
P
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Ulverstone
16
12
2
2
66
15
38
Northern Rangers
15
12
0
3
53
22
36
Devonport City
15
11
2
2
45
21
35
Riverside Olympic
15
5
5
5
25
34
20
Launceston City
15
5
3
6
22
37
18
Prospect Knights
15
5
2
8
20
33
17
Somerset
15
4
3
8
28
43
15
Launceston United
15
4
2
9
30
40
14
Burnie United
15
0
1
14
15
60
1