BIG FINISH: Wanderers’ Adam Hurford strikes the ball in his side’s 6-1 win over Bathurst Souths on Saturday. Photo: STEVE GOSCH 0818sghock3
Look out 2013.
That’s the message from Orange Wanderers coach Andrew Reddan after his side bowed out of the 2012 men’s Premier League Hockey competition with a 6-1 win over Bathurst Souths on Saturday.
Setting modest goals for his squad in their inaugural season, Reddan was confident next year’s campaign will hit greater heights.
“Our first year was always about building the squad, building a culture that will create success,” Reddan said.
“I could see that starting to grow through the year. Their belief and toughness really came to the fore.”
After Saturday’s win skipper Alistair Murray said Wanderers could be a force in next year’s competition.
Reddan wholeheartedly echoed those words.
“Absolutely. We’ve been dominant for periods of all our games this year,” he said.
“As is the case with most teams, it is just a matter of playing like that consistently for 70 minutes each week.
“We can do that, and if we do, we can be a force.”
Wanderers finished the minor premiership in fifth position, five competition points adrift of the last semi-final qualifiers Lithgow Zig Zag.
But appearances are deceiving.
The Orange outfit was stripped of four competition points in the opening rounds for using an unregistered player in their win over Parkes.
Reddan doesn’t dispute the crime, or the penalty.
But he laments the impact it had on his side’s inaugural season.
“You play the cards you’re dealt,” the mentor said.
“If that win stands then we only finish one point outside the top four.
“Our position on the ladder doesn’t reflect our performances throughout the year.”
While paying credit to the entire squad, Reddan was especially pleased with the development of the club’s juniors over the course of the year.
He noted the club’s presentation night, held on Saturday, reflected this sentiment.
“Michael Dillon came up to first grade and really matured into one of our best,” he said.
“A couple of other juniors, Luke Skelton and Ash Lacey, won coaches awards.
“It’s great to have these young guys involved from the start.”