Sharks hungry for wins
WHEN he gathered his troops for the start of pre-season back in November, Geelong Premier League hockey coach Shane Walters was thinking two or three wins for the season would be “pretty handy’’.
The newly promoted outfit, which won last season’s Vic League 1 women’s title, was after all entering the upper echelon of state hockey for the first time.
The Sharks’ opening practice match against a high quality Footscray provided a wakeup call to the speed and intensity that will be needed to hold their own at the top level.
But a month later, with wins over Premier League sides Altona and Melbourne Uni as well as Vic League 1 side Brunswick, Walters has raised the bar on his expectations as Geelong prepares for tomorrow’s season opener against Kew-Box Hill Brumbies at Stead Park.
“I’d be hoping that we’re competitive,’’ Walters said. “I would have said at the start of pre-season that if we win two or three games it would be pretty handy, but the way the girls have been going I reckon we’ll get a few more than that.’’
Geelong has lost key players from last season in skipper Courtney Pearson (work) and Tatiana Rouch, who has headed home after finishing university, but has gained plenty in both talent and numbers, with a squad of 45 having tried out for the senior and reserves teams Geelong will run in Premier League.
“We’ve picked up Eliza Whiteley, who is down from New South Wales to study at Deakin and she played Premier League in Sydney,’’ Walters said. “Elise Webster is an exAltona Premier League player and (teenager) Kelsey Ratcliffe (a gun striker) from Warrnambool is the sister of current Hockeyroo Madi Ratcliffe.’
“One of the highlights defensively is we’ve picked up Jane Patton. She’s really taken control of the defensive side of the ground.’’
English player Sandie Lock- ley, living locally for work, will play two-thirds of the season.
“We’re in the position now where there is genuine pressure for spots, not just in the first but the seconds as well,” Walters said.
“It’s certainly been really positive, three of the four practice games we’ve won, and the girls have played quite well.’’
Walters will have Torquay’s Chris Thompson as assistant coach, with Shaun McDonald coaching the reserves team.