Burleigh men step up
Women’s efforts an inspiration
BURLEIGH’S vaunted junior hockey production line will be under the microscope today as the senior men strive to match the efforts of their women’s side in Brisbane.
This time last week the Gold Coast Hockey Association’s all-conquering female line-up managed third at the TigerTurf Cup.
Led by new Hockeyroos player Rosie Malone, Burleigh made the semi-final of the nine-a-side tournament but were eliminated 2-1 by University of Queensland.
Focus now turns to the men’s side, who will compete in the same tournament.
Like the women, an eye will be on youth after an offseason of mild turnover.
Scorchers star Tegan Richards headlines the list of exits from Burleigh’s A-grade side for 2018, meaning coach Craig Mathison must ask the next generation of players to lift.
“That’s a big hole but we have some good juniors coming through,” he said.
“And our squad has been pretty strong so I expect us to be there in the end. But it is a long way away.”
Mathison conceded he’s unsure how much time they would get from Malone in the Gold Coast league given her likely rep commitments.
He was, however, appreciative of having her in action last weekend. “I wouldn’t say we were unlucky but we had the opportunity to go further,” he said.