Back-to-back Premiers. Now South Hobart are one win from ending a nine-year wait

South Hobart have conquered Tasmania’s regular season two years running. Now they have the chance to reclaim a prize that has eluded them since 2017 after qualifying for the Grand Final.

The back-to-back Premiers booked a date with Devonport City Strikers in the NPL Tasmania decider after twice coming from behind to defeat Kingborough Lions United 4-2 in a dramatic extra-time battle.

Kingborough refused to make it easy. Rowan Pitt and Eli Wright twice put the Lions ahead, only for South to respond through Austin Yost and Kobe Kemp and force the contest beyond 90 minutes.

That was when the Premiers took over.

Harry Oates put South ahead for the first time before Rex Maddock and Alex Walter helped put the contest beyond Kingborough and send the state’s dominant regular-season side back to the biggest game of the year.

Waiting for them are Devonport, who had already secured their place in the decider after defeating South 3-0 in the major semi-final.

It sets up a fascinating rematch with significantly more at stake: South Hobart are chasing a Premiership-Championship double and their first Championship since 2017.

Devonport are eyeing their first Championship since 2023.