Southern Championship is an exciting contest, when there are grounds available

Photo:  Daniel Goodluck  for Knights against University today to make it 2-0. [PlessPix] 

New Town White Eagles appear to be running away with the Men’s Southern Championship.

Eagles are the reigning champions and they have at least a 6-point lead over second-placed Hobart United.

Eagles downed South East United 5-1 today at Empire Courier Park, the game having been switched there from Clare Street, which was again closed because of the poor state of the pitch.

Photo:  Daniel Goodluck salutes the Glenorchy Knights fans after scoring against University to make it 2-0. [PlessPix]

The closure of the ground is also affecting Eagles’ training.

Coach Tommy Fotak told me the team has had to train on a netball court at times.

Clennett’s Lightwood Park was also closed today, forcing the postponement of a couple of games, including the Men’s Southern Championship fixture between the Lions and Metro.

Taroona’s game against South Hobart was also postponed.

Photo:  Daniel Goodluck squeezes a shot past University goalkeeper Manny Hennicke to give Knights a 3-0 lead. [PlessPix]  

What are local councils doing for football?

Grounds are constantly being closed because of wet weather, yet one doesn’t see AFL games postponed.

It’s time football clubs and their supporters demanded action from councils as the clubs, players and fans appear to be treated as second-class citizens at present.

I thought extensive drainage work had been carried out at Lightwood Park (otherwise known as Clennett’s Lightwood Park), yet games are being called off on a regular basis.

If an international women’s team is going to use the venue as a training base for the Women’s World Cup next year, the situation will have to improve dramatically.

*****

Photo:  University's Toby MacGregor (right) defends against Glenorchy Knights. [PlessPix] 

I haven’t been able to attend many games in the Men’s Southern Championship this season, but it seems an exciting contest and one in which any team can beat any other team on any given weekend.

It was interesting to see some familiar faces playing for University against Glenorchy Knights today.

Defender Toby MacGregor was back in University’s colours, while Jimmy Pennicott was at the heart of the University defence.

Photo: University's  Jimmy Pennicott (right) keeping an eye on Glenorchy Knights' Daniel Goodluck. [PlessPix]  

Pennicott began his career here with South Hobart before moving to Victoria.

He has returned to Tasmania after a couple of years living in Finland, and before that, he spent time in South America.

Photo:  Knights' Mathew Nowicki (left) eyes a chance. [PlessPix]  

Today’s results were:

Men’s Southern Championship

Glenorchy Knights 3-0 University

Hobart City Beachside 1-4 Hobart United

New Town White Eagles 5-1 South East United

Clarence Zebras 6-0 Olympia Warriors

Kingborough Lions United v Metro [Postponed]

Taroona v South Hobart [Postponed]

Photo:  A smiling Jimmy Pennicott.  He had a major set-back early in his career when he required a knee reconstruction. [PlessPix]