WERRIBEE will start its first season in the newly formed Hockey Victoria men’s league 1 with the underdogs tag.
The Tigers are hoping to fly under the radar early in the season and catch a few of the glamour teams off guard.
Sixth-year Tigers captain Ross Cowlishaw admits his side is a long shot to play finals as they embark on a tough, uncompromising second tier that brought together sides from the old state league 1 and 2 competitions from last season.
“It’s going to be a very strong competition,” he said. “We’re not expecting to make finals and if we do it’ll be a bonus.
“A lot of teams will underestimate us, having come up from state league 3, so hopefully we get a good head start and get a few wins early in the year.”
The Tigers head into the campaign with new coach Cameron Whyatt at the helm.
The former Monash University leader is a rare outsider to the position after a string of home-grown coaches.
“It’s a fresh face from outside of Werribee which we haven’t had for about 10 years,” Cowlishaw enthused. “He’s brought a lot of excitement with him. He wants to make an impression on his new club.”
Whyatt is a state coach for under-age indoor hockey teams.
His teachings in the indoor format centre around use of the ball in confined spaces, which can be translated to the outdoor game.
The Tigers have always been a fit, hard running and physical team, but Cowlishaw says they have been found wanting with the stick when pressure is applied.
“We have not been the most skilful side, but we’re pretty fit, pretty strong and we can run all day.
“What he brings is the in-close skills, which is something we’ve never really been taught down at Werribee and has been lacking in the past.”
The Tigers, who have a settled line-up from last season with the exception of the departed Luke Simpson, can get the season started on the right note at home on Saturday against a Brunswick side that has become familiar over the years.
