Zebras bite back against Lions to claim Statewide Cup spoils
It took the whole season but Hobart Zebras were finally able to avenge their Summer Cup defeat at the hands of Kingborough. SEE THE GALLERY
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A BRACE from Danielle Kannegiesser has fired Hobart Zebras to their second Statewide Cup title in three years as they took the “Safari-Derby” spoils 3-1 against Kingborough Lions.
The Player of the Final said victory was made sweeter after the Lions had ended their pre-season cup aspirations.
“Kingborough knocked us out of the Summer Cup so we wanted to stick it to them,” Kannegiesser said.
“We have done so much building as a team this year and set our foundations, while the two goals and the player of the match are a bonus on the win. Sometimes you’re just in the right place at the right time and sometimes you create an opportunity that is perfect.”
GALLERY: ACTION FROM THE STATEWIDE CUP FINAL
LAKOSELJAC CUP: SOUTH FIRES HOME AT THE DEATH
The forward gifted Zebras a dream start with a shot from 30 yards that floated into the top corner.
The Lions midfield responded by getting to work with Christabelle Moore and Zoe Horgan putting in a shift, while Zebras skipper Alley Berry had a volley goal disallowed after she was ruled offside.
The match broke open in four frantic second-half minutes as Laura Davis equalised with a sublime roll off her marker and drove home off her non-preferred foot.
No sooner had play re-started when Davis fired a guilt-edge shot wide of the goal when played through on goal. Berry quickly restored Zebras advantage with a curling effort from just inside the box to the side netting, before Kannegiesser outdid her earlier goal to make it 3-1.
After bombing down the left flank, her cross-turned-shot sailed into the top corner off the post.
The final half hour saw Zebras snuff out any hint of a Lions fightback with defensive pairings Rachel Gill and Kayla Mason superb, to return to the Cup summit once more.
The match cruelly became the Lions’ third cup final loss in 12 months for the young squad.
The numbers behind Football Tasmania’s push for $80m project
New data has revealed why Football Tasmania needs more support from all levels of government to help build a new $80m home base for the sport. See the figures and the reason for the push.
SFL releases historic fixture
A new era of Tasmanian football has officially arrived with the Southern Football League announcing a historic fixture. See when your side will be in action.