Switch brings reward

JOSH Baxter is used to change.

After moving from Gladstone to the Gold Coast last year to chase his hockey dream, the 21-year-old had no qualms when he was approached to change positions on the hockey field as well.

With some of Labrador’s key striking powers out of the team, the Tigerstix needed to get creative to continue their Brisbane Hockey League dominance which saw Baxter, normally a defender, enter the picture.

“We had to have a little reshuffle with a few guys out,” he said. “I played forward a little bit as a kid but this is my first real crack at it.”

The move reaped near instant reward as Baxter scored his first career hat-trick earlier this month against Bulimba followed by another goal last weekend in Labrador’s win against Commercial.

Baxter also spends his weekends changing colours to gain more hockey experience, playing for Labrador one day only to back up for the Roosters in the Gold Coast division one competition the next.

“It’s pretty tough backing up sometimes,” he said.

“I have two games this week so it’s just about making sure I’m fit enough to run both out.”

Labrador face off against Redcliffe Leagues today at 2.55pm in Brisbane.

In the Gold Coast division one league, the Roosters and Kingscliff faced off last night while Casuarina and Burleigh play today followed by Mudgeeraba and Labrador tomorrow.

In the women’s league, Labrador and Capri do battle tomorrow followed by Burleigh versus the Roosters.