Div 1
1. Kingborough - Will give Metro at least another year in the Premier League.
2. Beachside - Missed their chance last season in one of the most competitive division 1 seasons ever.
3. DOSA - Also missed their chance last season.
4. South Hobart - Will have many of last season’s 19s who will struggle to make it into an awesome reserves side.
5. Hobart United - That sinking feeling…
6. Eagles - Same old same old.
7. Huon Valley - A few star players won’t make enough of a difference.
8. Christian - God will help them through a few tough matches.
9. Nelson - Tactically and technically weak side.
10. Uni - Players leaving left, right and centre will them them in dire straights.

Kingborough 3 v Knights 0

I wouldn’t have gone as far as to describe the Knights as a sub-standard side though (as you claim Kingborough victories were), just beaten by a better side on the night, but it was a COMPREHENSIVE victory in anyone’s language.

Just as Knights were the better team for the return fixture at Lightwood later in the year. I also recall a comprehensive victory to South Hobart over Knights a few weeks later. Pride comes before a fall young man…and credit where credit is due.

BTW…Sanita is not gone yet. You just hope he is!!

This year Knights will obviously challenge again but will be pressured all the way by south and zebras. i think the league will be a lot more even this year. Knights have only lost jono ladic from last season which even though leaves a big gap i think they still have a depth of quality and i hear they may pick up a few as always. If you look at their starting line up there are not too many players from other clubs who would walk straight in so obviously they awill be hard to beat. Also they will have Tony Dzelija and these types of people coming back in. South are once again the best young side and could push all the way and zebras apparently have picked up a few players who are at the end of their careers but might be the quality experience they need to get back up!

ladder-

1. Knights
2. South
3. Zebras
4. Clarence
5. Uni
6. Kingborough
7. Eagles
8. Olympic
9. Taroona
10.Metro

Look for Olympic and the Zebras to be the big improvers. Knights are still favourites to take the title but will find it alot harder than the previous couple of years. Look for Kingborough and Uni to drop and Taroona will finish stone cold last

Knights- A class outfit and sure to go for a third succesive title, although player conduct could prove a hiccup along the way.

South- Depth and a great mix of young blokes but not sure whether they can push all the way,still a year off winning the title.

Zebras- Big improvers upon last year and would not be suprised if they crept up a spot or won summer cup or likewhise silverware.

Kingborough- The loss of Sanita could prove costly and coaching arrangments may see them go down a few notches. Not out of contention though.

Eagles- The eagles should be able to go one spot higher and cause upsets with quality players throughout the park watch out for the likes of brown and telega.

Clarence- With Michael Edwards having signed over will this really be the answer to their problems? Nathan reese will be back but there may only be a jump in places. Dont expect too much.

Olympic- Summer cup will tell us what the boys are capable of, with a young mix and old mix. Expect a surge towards the end with maybe a slow start on the cards.

Taroona- New boys to the league but ready for a challenge expect a few wins and a better showing than Hobart United. Expect big things in the future with the development of good young players.

University- The past dominance over the years looks set to come towards and end with many players leaving, left or retired. Will take something special to see a higher placing than ninth.

Metro- Not much can be said here but the usual and obvious. A struggle each year for these blokes and this year will be no different.

Darkhorse selection- Hobart Zebras

Division One Prediction

With Taroona having left the competition it will now really be a three horse race between Beachside, Hobart and Dosa. Realistically Beachside should be able to take the title out with solid showing for the past three or four seasons, however the departure of Nick Gibson may mean they have to look for other options if they are to score any goals in the season 2007. Dosa will challenge as usual but a lack of inconsistency and ability to hold on to leads will cost them points in the up coming season.

If the promotion/relegation games are anything to go by then don’t expect Hobart to take out the title this year although top 3 is realistic in my point of view. South Hobart should be the only real improvers this year with strong depth around the club. The rest beneath these four teams will battle it out for minor places.

Dark horse- South Hobart

In the more important Div 1:

1. DOSA (best defence in 2006 league, Wakefield a genuine superstar);
2. Kingborough
3. Beachside
4. Hobart United (ever thought of playing a backline guys?)
5. Huon Valley
6. South Hobart
7. Christian United
8. New Town
9. Nelson
10. Uni

1. Dosa
2. Kingborough
3. Beachside
4. New Town (big movers this year)
5. Hobart United
6. Huon Valley
7. Christian United
8. Nelson
9. South Hobart
10. Uni

1. Kingborough (consistant)
2. Knights (lack of discipline will cost a couple games)
3. Sth Hobart (also consistant)
4. Zebra’s
5. Uni
6. Clarence
7. New Town
8. Metro
9. Olympic
10. Taroona

and I’d like to add I believe Metro will improve and really everyone in the top 7 is capable of causing enough upsets to win it - a VERY even comp in my mind so to supporters/players of all clubs I’ve picked to finish in the bottom half, dont take offence, it’s harder to pick than a broken nose at this stage.

Div. 1
1. Beachside (have depth, have been top 3 for years, now have a very good coach)
2. Hobart United (experience of Premier League should put them in good stead)
3. Kingborough (Big club, lots of depth, always thereabouts)
4. DOSA (almost won it in 2006, finishing 2nd, but lack the depth to cover any injuries)
5. Huon Valley (best keeper & centre forward in the league)
6. Christian
7. Nelson
8. Sth Hobart
9.New Town
10. Uni

Its EXTREMELY difficult to predict how clubs with Premier league teams will go. Depends on depth, injuries in teams above them and ethics of coaching staff in dropping players for crucial games, but thats my wild stab in the dark anyway, for what its worth.