Midfield holds key to hockey victory

FRESH faces are set to steal the headlines this Cairns Hockey season and the Souths pair Peter Bingham and heather Morris are ready to excite. JACOB GRAMS

Souths president Jason Fowler said the A-grade women were shaping up well to defend their title with the bonus of goalsneak Morris, who has come from the US college system.

“She’s a striker, she knows where the goal is ... and got a deadly strike on her and I think a couple of the young strikers are really looking forward to learning from her,” he said.

Fowler said their enthusiasm to impart their knowledge right through the grades for seniors and juniors would be invaluable for years to come.

“They’re both coaching junior sides so they’re quite enthusiastic about that and it’s going to be a good benefit across the club,” he said.

More imports from India, Pakistan and Argentina are set to join rival clubs Brothers and Stingers during the season.

Souths start their campaign against Saints while Brothers take on Trinity Stingers in Round 1. Souths were always dangerous despite a young squad.

“Obviously Caitlyn Whipp is quite dynamic and Hannah Cochran and Georgia Trompf are quite solid,” he said.

But McNeil said the best midfield defence would arguably prevail.

“At the end of the day the strikers get the ball and defenders don’t have to defend if the midfield does its job,” he said.