How they combine as a team will have a big bearing on Tamworth’s title chances at this weekend’s under 18 State Boys Indoor Hockey Championships at Goulburn.
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A’s coach Andrew Farmilo believes his side has the potential to challenge for the Division 1 silverware.
“They could go a long way if they all play well and we play as a team,” he said.
“That will be the key.”
“Sometimes we lapse into our little individuality and that hurts us. While ever we maintain that team-work should do pretty well.”
Tamworth were semi-finalists last year and have several of that side backing up most notably Ehren Hazell.
Hazell was the top goalscorer at the nationals earlier this year and will be “a big bonus”, Farmilo said.
And much like he does at Workies, he will give the Australian under 21s rep a roaming licence.
“He’s the best player. He’s the best defender, best attacker and best in the midfield,” he said.
”The other guys have got to react to what he does. If he sees an opportunity they’ve got to react to it.”
He’ll be a key goal-scoring weapon along with Calvin Farmilo and Nick O’Connor, who is backing up for the 18s after scoring 18 goals for the under 15s at their state championships last month.
“We’ve just got to get those three the ball and things can happen,” Farmilo said.
The championships get underway on Friday and will see Tamworth fielding two sides with Jack Cruickshank coaching what is a young Division 2 side. Captain Andrew Cross is the only 18-year-old in the team and more than half are stepping up from the under 15s.
“It will be a development weekend for them,” he said.
Competing against teams that in many instances are “a bit bigger and stronger”, Cruickshank spoke about playing aggressive hockey.
Particularly in defence he’ll be looking to them to play aggressively and always be trying to get the ball off the opposition.
They are the only B’s side in their pool, which also features Orange, Wagga Wagga and Southern Highlands.
Cruickshank was last year part of that A’s side that missed the final by a game.
“I like coaching,” he said.
“I sort of did the same thing when this age group were in the 15s.”
The next year after he finishing playing in the 15s he coached one of the sides.