Pre-season kicked off in the traditional fashion for the AHC men this year . . . . early! Farewell’s were said to 2012 co-coach Greg Drake who opted to take some time away from the top job, leaving the reins in the capable hands of seasoned campaigner Ben Guy.
With a single coach came a single direction – FITNESS, and from December through to February that was what happened.
The squad thrived over the Summer period, with over 40 guys regularly at training and running sessions pushing each other to the limit. The welcome return of former captain Matthew Guest after a year gallivanting with the Canadian national team lifted morale, while new recruits Matt Huf, Cale Rout and Cam Jarry from Warrnambool/WestVic (wooed during the 2011 pre-season Warrnambool camp), Benn Henderson from Kew (headband removed), Andrew Scanlon from Footscray and obligatory Shepparton recruits Tim Tielan and Nick (the other, other) Russell boosted the competition at running and skills sessions alike.
The pre-season camp in Shepparton gave coach Guy a great opportunity to walk through his revised game plan with the simple message “AHC will be an attacking side in 2013”. The scorching temperatures did not deter the group who pushed themselves to the max and showed our country counterparts what Altona is all about. Praise again from the Goulburn Valley association to our guys for bringing top level hockey to the region and running a coaching clinic for local juniors.
The bedding down of a coaching panel was another big pre-season milestone with Steve Ritchie (2012 Pennant A coach – finalists and the clubs self proclaimed favourite team – FYI) returning from an overseas jaunt and elevated (or is it demoted) in the coaching order to assistant PL coach (defence and video), he is joined by Dave Howell the former South Australian national league player and superstar 3’s centre half (and more notably the OCs) taking the job as PL mid-field specialist. Ben Newell rounds out the coaching panel, returning from stints coaching in Queensland and Western Austraila slipping comfortably into the job of PL reserve coach with a wealth of SL1 experience and determined to teach the eager young group everything there is to know about playing left half and nothing about playing juniors at Doncaster. Peter Symons returns to the PL selection panel in 2013 and is joined by Steve McDonald after Harold Doerner stepped aside, thanks in advance to Symo and Macca for the season ahead.
Off the field the boys continued to show their support for the club arranging the inaugural OCs vs YCs exhibition match and showcasing some magnificent hockey, champagne commentary and indecent goal celebrations (thanks for being a good sport Pru). The day was topped off by the fundraising iPod shuffle and a donation to the club from the Premier League squad of $1500 to go towards junior development. We hope that this expands to include a womens match and becomes a regular fixture on the club calender.
The practice matches rolled around soon enough and the group got an early opportunity to shake off the dust and begin to put the plan into practice. Harewood Hockey Club (Christchurch) ventured across the Tasman, reciprocating the gesture from the AHC lads in 2012 and put on an action packed show at the Snakepit finishing in a 5-5 draw. The following day was a round-robin affair at Doncaster which saw the A-boys defeat both Harewood and Doncaster in comfortable victories to claim the day and back up the efforts from 2012 to claim Aussie bragging rights.
Last years runners up Camberwell were next who were slightly too good on the day, their contingent of Vikings players helping them get across the line. There were encouraging signs from both games however, with many aspects of the new game plan coming together against a quality opposition. Premier League went down 3-2 and PL Res played out a 2-2 draw.
A ‘trough’ against Essendon @ Essendon saw some of the good work undone with the boys managing a narrow PL win 3-2 while PL res got the job done 4-0.
The tide shifted again for the early morning games against Waverley @ AHC with both teams running away to convincing victories, PL 5-1 and PL res 7-2.
Last weekend saw a re-match against Essendon @ the Snakepit with PL holding onto a narrow 3-2 victory while PL res continued their dominance finishing with a 6-1 win.
As we march into round 1, it is a determined AHC Premier League squad that will take the field against Hawthorn on Sunday. A leadership group comprised of Matt Guest, Josh Coote, Steve Campbell, Tyson Priddle, Chris Coleman, Pat Phillips & Jesse Gatt – spreading the load and responsibility across the playing lines. Add to this combo stalwart Matthew Higgins, quiet achiever Jake Macvean, re-invented GK Adam Barty, up and comers Kieran Symons, Josh Horton, Alex Tyrrell, John Camilleri, Tim Sheahan and it is a formidable (albeit funny looking) group that will take the pitch for Altona in Round 1 at the elite end of the mens competition for 2013 . Notable omissions – Chris ‘comforts’ Coleman and Harry ‘top-knot’ Dolenc who return this weekend from the U21 championships where they represented Victoria and NT respectively over the past 2 weeks.
For the Premier League Reserve group, Damien Luci and Tim Russell are supported by Brendan Scanlon and Alex Tyrrell in the leadership group with the club legend Ian ‘Bones’ Bartlett providing invaluable guidance. With a suite of experienced players in Mick Gallo, Matt Briscoe, Daniel O’Loughlin, Lachlan Russell, Ben Burriss, Mitch Gough and Ben Oborne in the net all pushing pressure on for Premier League selection, we look forward to the excitement machine carrying forward its success from 2012.
Games for round 1 are:
Premier League – 3:30pm v Hawthorn @ Altona
Premier League Reserve – 5pm v Hawthorn @ Altona
We wish the boys all the best for round 1 and the rest of the season.
Go A’s