Dylan fit for timely return
AFTER a four-goal loss in their Brisbane Hockey League top-of-the-table clash with Easts last week, Labrador’s chances of getting back on the winners list have been bolstered by the return of Kookaburra Dylan Wotherspoon.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallist has spent the past few weeks on the sidelines battling a hamstring injury but will today give the Tigerstix some much-needed firepower up forward with Joey Sandor and captain Joe Reardon still unavailable.
“We’re kind of used to it now I guess (missing key strikers),” the 26-year-old said.
“We’ve had some players come up from our second side and compete but there is a bit of a hole.”
As well as missing the past two club matches, the injury blow cut even deeper for Wotherspoon who was forced to miss out on the chance to represent his country abroad.
“I was meant to fly to Argentina for the pro league the day after I did it so it was hard missing out as well as missing club hockey,” he said.
This afternoon Wotherspoon has the chance to make an immediate impact when the Tigerstix face the fourth-placed Commercial in Brisbane.
“It’s another match,” he said.
“They’re well established in the top division and we tough
Easts ................................. 21 Labrador ........................... 15 Pine Rivers St Andrews.14 Commercial ...................... 11 University of Qld ............. 11
Kedron Wavell ..................... 11 Bulimba .............................. 10 Valley .................................... 4 Redcliffe ............................... 3 Norths .................................. 0
have a bit of rivalry against them.
“We’re both competitive top teams and they won a couple of back-to-back premierships a few years ago so it’s always good to get a win against them.”
A win today will all but secure Labrador’s chances of competing in the mid-season Memorial Cup which brings together the top two sides for a one-off match, although Wotherspoon said the club have their eyes set on a greater prize.
“For us it’s a stepping stone to the end of the year,” he said.
“It would be great if we did qualify and had the chance to win some silverware but our bigger aim is to challenge for the premiership.”
Today’s match kicks off at 4.30pm at the State Hockey Centre in Brisbane.
In the Gold Coast division one men’s league the Roosters will play Casuarina today while Kingscliff take on Mudgeeraba and Burleigh will face Capri tomorrow.
In the women’s league, Burleigh will face off against Capri while Labrador play Mudgeeraba tomorrow.