AFTER coming second best in last year’s State Hockey League grand final, Meville Captain Tim Geers has a plan he hopes will help his side go one better this year – no weddings.
Last season, competing in its first ever grand final, Melville fell at the final hurdle against a dominant WASPS team that only lost two regular season fixtures all year.
Missing from that game was first choice goalkeeper Tristan Clemons, away from the team to get married.
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READ NOWThe two sides are set to meet this weekend in the opening round of the competition, with Melville boosted by having Clemons back between the posts.
“There’s no weddings in round 1; it’s a strict team rule that there’s to be no more weddings during the season,” Geers said.
“There’s no doubting Clemo’s influence on the team, both on and off the field, he’s a massive performer for us and it’s great to have him back.
“Things didn’t go well for us in the grand final but it’s very early in the season and while revenge would be nice and we will be looking to turn a result in, it’s not the be all and end all. Our ultimate goal is to make the finals.
“We’ve been a work in progress for a number of years since we got promoted so it was more important for us to focus on the journey we made last year.”
WASPS’ new player coach Murray McIntyre is hoping to spoil Melville’s party and get off on the right foot after losing a handful of players over the summer, including Rob Hammond, Chris Munro, Josh Miller and Chris Ciriello.
“We’ve had some changes and a few of the older stalwarts are no longer playing but you take those guys out and what it does is give that next tier of players that opportunity,” he said.
“We are going to give them that chance which is exciting for the club.
“There’s a healthy rivalry between the south of the river teams.
“It’s an enjoyable thing; two south of the river teams playing in the grand final and then in Round 1.”
The Women’s Premier League gets underway next month on April 8.