In part 2 of the NPL Tasmania season preview; the big question hovering over each of the sides as they head into the 2018 season. What are the major things that the sides will need to figure out if they are to achieve success?

South Hobart- Can the young brigade step up? Or is it too much too soon?

With the likes of Liam Quaile, Jack Turner, Ben Hamlett and Darcy Hall all departing the club over the off season there are a number of starting spots up for grabs in the South side. The next generation of Sculthorpe, Saracino and Castaneda all showed in the preseason they are the natural successors, but are they ready to replicate the production levels of those they are replacing? They are talented kids but its going to be a big ask for them to establish themselves right away. South's title defence may well rest on them making the leap that we have seen many of the Morton Soccer School graduates make, but it wouldn't shock if there were some growing pains. If they take some time to adjust, it could well leave South vulnerable early in the year.

[caption id="attachment_5060" align="alignnone" width="502"] Can Sculthorpe lead the line for South in 2018?- Solstice Photography[/caption]

Olympia Warriors- Can Nick Mearns stay fit?

Mearns was a key part of the Warriors march to the 2015 title as he firmly established himself as one of the finest midfielders in the league but since then he has endured a truly wretched run of injuries. He started 2016 like a house on fire, before injury ended his season prematurely and probably cost him a Mitsubishi Medal. The back half of 2017 saw him missing games and playing through the pain but his best afield showing in the Lakoseljac Cup final was a reminder of his quality. If Olympia are to win the title then they need their key midfield playmaker available. Can he reverse his fortunes and get through a whole season this time around?

[caption id="attachment_3018" align="alignnone" width="503"] The Warriors need a fit Nick Mearns. Solstice Photography[/caption]

Devonport- Can they handle the expectations?

Last season the Strikers were not expected to challenge for the title. Having seen a large part of their core from their 2016 League/Cup double winning side depart new coach Chris Gallo entered the season fielding an incredibly youthful side. Yet they were the challengers who stuck in the race the longest before injuries finally brought them undone. They were able to take that 'us against the world' type mentality and fuel themselves with it. This season the goalposts have shifted somewhat. With those youngsters who so impressed last season now complemented by a number of big names, Devonport are widely considered in the top couple of chances. So how will those shifting expectations play with the group? Can they handle the weight of expectation?

[caption id="attachment_5063" align="alignnone" width="506"] There is plenty of buzz about the Strikers- Solstice Photography[/caption]

Hobart Zebras- Has Gabriel Markaj learnt from 2017?

There can be no doubt that the colourful coach of Zebras knows his stuff, the depth of his footballing knowledge is extraordinary. But has he learned the necessary lessons from his time at the Lions? As the saying goes, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it and after flaming out at the Lions, his new club have punted on his ability to have learned where he went wrong. He has thus far sought to avoid the media, which was a large part of his downfall at the Den, but can he keep his emotions in check and be the leader this talented squad needs? The Zebras first XI is as good as anyone in the competition, but can Markaj seize his second chance and bring it all together?

[caption id="attachment_5061" align="alignnone" width="503"] Will Markaj reward the faith shown by the Zebras?- Solstice Photography[/caption]

Northern Rangers- Can they build on the back half of 2017?

Last season was a real tale of two halves for the young Rangers squad. Through nine games last season Rangers had a 1-2-6 record and were averaging just 1 goal a game whilst conceding 3 per outing. They were eliminated from the Lakoseljac Cup by Nelson and a repeat of their 2016 season looked likely. Over the final 12 games they turned things around though. They improved significantly to post a 4-3-5 record over those games, averaging 1.5 goals a game whilst bringing their average against down to 2. So which Rangers will get this year? Will there be a continuance from the good work they established in the run home? Or will the big spending going on around them see them fall back?

[caption id="attachment_5062" align="alignnone" width="508"] Rangers made big strides in 2017- Solstice Photography[/caption]

Launceston City- How quickly can this new playing group gel?

It's been an impressive recruiting effort from the staff at Launceston City and there is no doubt they have assembled a terrific squad capable of lifting them up the table. But new players take time to gel together, learning each others playing styles and habits is a process that won't happen overnight. So just how quickly can it all come together for Jez Kenth and his men? With their first 3 games against the other 3 sides from the bottom 4 of last year, Kingborough, Clarence and Northern Rangers, they have a good chance to bank some early points but they need to hit the ground running or  they could find themselves behind the 8 ball at an early stage. The softer draw in the early weeks could be a double edged sword if the side don't click till the back half of the round.

[caption id="attachment_5064" align="alignnone" width="498"] City have a very new looking starting XI- Solstice Photography[/caption]

Clarence United- Where are the goals going to come from?

Clarence have scored 23 goals in each of the past 2 seasons which is a figure they need to build on if they are to climb up the table. That task has gotten more difficult following the departure of their leading scorer over the past 2 seasons in Nick Naden. It's not just Naden's goals that will be missed, he was a major creator for his side and will leave a void in that department. Billy Bremner has shown himself a reliable avenue to goal but his availability has been less reliable. Jake Stuart is an athletic front man who offers plenty but he is more of a target man than prolific goal scorer. Adam Hedge has played up top before and could also be an option but whilst it's unclear who will fill the void, the need for them to find an injection of goals from somewhere is obvious.

[caption id="attachment_5065" align="alignnone" width="506"] Clarence need to find some goalscorers to support Stuart- Solstice Photography[/caption]

Kingborough Lions- How good are the Lions trio of imports?

Lions Coach Mark Broadent has been keeping his powder dry in the preseason, holding back his trio of VISA players in a bid to keep his opponents guessing. He revealed at a Tuesday Media Conference that the Lions have signed an American, Tim Baker, a Brazilian, Gilly Desouza and a Canadian who will make their debuts against Launceston City. Broadbent refused to name the Canadian but suggested all three would add quality to his side and the Lions coach was confident that his squad would surprise people this season. If they are to do that, then they will need an impact from the imports and considering nobody has seen them yet, just how much of an impact they can have remains to be seen.

[caption id="attachment_5066" align="alignnone" width="502"] Broadbent is keeping them guessing when it comes to his imports- Solstice Photography[/caption]

NPL Tasmania Season Preview Coverage

Part I: What Did We Learn?

Part II: The Burning Questions

Part III: Players to Watch- Thursday

Part IV: Predictions- Friday