Sibling rivalry a thing of past
TWO sets of Gold Coast siblings hope to restore Queensland’s status as the top state in Australian hockey.
Tweed Head’s brothers Dylan, 25, and Blake, 21, Wotherspoon and sisters Savannah, 23, and Madison Fitzpatrick, 21, are part of the Queensland Blades and Scorchers teams competing in the finals of the Australian Hockey League on the Gold Coast.
Dylan looks set to miss Queensland’s semi-final against Tasmania today and potentially the grand final after being handed a two-game suspension.
He received a red card after coming into contact with an opponent during the Blades’ 6-5 win over Victoria on Thursday at the Gold Coast Hockey Centre, Labrador.
Both sets of siblings are Australian representatives and Dylan’s absence in the final games could dent his chances of earning selection in the World Cup team.
Blake is in the Australian under-21 team and the brothers, who play for the Labrador Tigerstix, said it was their dream to represent the Australian open side together.
“This is our second year playing together with the Blades,” Dylan said.
“We grew up playing against each other in the backyard and we know each other’s game well.
“We have World Cup selection next week so the Australian coaches will be at the tournament watching.
“It’s important for Blake if he wants to make the next step to the national team, he needs to have a consistent performance out there.”
The Fitzpatrick sisters said there were positives and negatives when it came to playing at the highest level together.
“We can have harsher conversations with each other
WE GREW UP PLAYING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE BACKYARD
DYLAN WOTHERSPOON
when we play together but I also think in terms of connecting on the field it’s definitely an advantage,” Madison said.
“We both live in Perth and play together so I’d say we are very close.”
The Scorchers beat Northern Territory 13-0 on Thursday to book their place in the semifinal, to be played against the ACT today.
Both Queensland sides made it to last year’s grand final but both lost to Victoria.
“We have been in about eight of the past nine AHL finals and won it in 2015 and 2016 before losing it last year,” Savannah said.
“The pressure is on us to get it back from Victoria.”