BACKYARD SKILLS SHINE
BRISBANE Blaze forward Joel Rintala is one of the most damaging short corner specialists in the Hockey One league.
There was no more proof than the side’s 5-1 win over Adelaide last week when the Townsville product banged home four goals with a precision drag flick.
But it is a technique that was borne far away from the bright lights and live cameras of the nation’s top league.
It is a technique that Rintala, 23, has taken more than a decade to hone, and countless afternoons in the backyard of his family home with older brother Aidan.
“My older brother taught me how to do it when I was a kid, we used to just practice on a bit of carpet in the backyard,” Rintala said.
“I think I was about 12, and I was just watching on as he was trying to learn the technique. I was so interested in it so I asked if he could start teaching me.
“It has become one of my favourite things in hockey, especially if you score.”
While the pair would practice in the backyard every day, the old bit of carpet would soon be changed to a full-blown turf set-up constructed by their father, Tony.
“It was turf the old Townsville hospital had ripped up, Dad put up a frame and threw some crusher dust in and laid the synthetic over the top of it,” Rintala said.
The former Commercials Hockey Club junior has risen through the ranks of Queensland hockey, and has been a key part of the state side in Australian Hockey League over the past couple of years.
He has joined the Blaze for the Hockey One season, joining fellow Townsville product Mitch Nicholson, and the side has dominated the early rounds.
With the competition livestreamed on Kayo Sports it has allowed Rintala’s family to keep up to date with his efforts on the national stage.
“It is getting the sport out there, hopefully it attracts more kids to the game in future,” he said.
“Mum and Dad and the brother are definitely watching on and I think Nanna has even watched a few games.”
The Blaze men’s outfit are undefeated heading into the competition’s fourth round and their first home game of the season tonight against the Tassie Tigers.
The side will then back up with another home game on Sunday afternoon when they host the Perth Thundersticks at noon.
“Winning three on the trot, we are going pretty well as a team but we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves,” Rintala said.
“The hockey is improving each week and it keeps getting harder to get those results.”