Tigerstix too good
LABRADOR shook off some early-season rust to open their Brisbane Hockey League account on Saturday, but coach Darren Fowler admits his side will need to lift to challenge the title heavyweights.
Stepping out for the first time since September’s grand final loss to Easts, the Tigerstix were too classy in a 4-0 win away to Redcliffe Leagues in Round 1.
However, Fowler, who has returned to the coaching ranks after leading the club in 2007-08, said they missed an opportunity to sound a warning to their premiership rivals.
“We just couldn’t score – we had about 27 circle penetrations – so we’ve got to work on that. We need to be better,” Fowler said.
“To score four is pretty good but we missed another half a dozen really good opportunities. I think it’s just a lack of getting on the turf to train so I think with more game time we will get better. It will be a completely different game against University (on Saturday).
“They’re a legitimate top five side so we’ll be fully tested by them.” BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE ROUND 1
Bulimba Labrador Commercial Easts Pine Rivers UQ Kedron Valley Redcliffe Norths
P W 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
L 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1
D 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 4 3 3 1 -1 -3 -3 -4 -6
Pts 3 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 0 0
Fielding a new-look side in the absence of Luke Tyne (England), Corey Weyer (Perth) and Jason Wilson (retired), Labrador swept Redcliffe aside courtesy of goals from Blake Wotherspoon (two), Joe Reardon and Damon Fagg.
Fowler said the return of Brent Livermore and Queensland under-18 representatives Tate Weyer, Will Mathison and Luca Brown for Round 2 would give the club a welcome selection headache.
“I still expect us to do well (this season). We play to get in the grand final. We have lost some really good players but that’s why we played a lot of younger guys last season, so they are ready.
The Tigerstix battle UQ at St Lucia at 4.30pm Saturday.