While Orange Wanderers will enjoy a first-up bye this weekend, one the central west’s very best will complete his journey from the sun-soaked glory of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games gold to a chilly local derby, in the space of just two weeks.
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That’s the incredible prospect Australian hockey star Lachlan Sharp will make a reality this weekend, after he played a pivotal role as the Kookaburras secured the Commonwealth Games gold medal.
The 20-year-old was on the pitch as the home-crowd favourites overcame a spirited New Zealand side 2-0 in the competition’s finale to take their place atop the podium.
But it will be a different outlook for Sharp on Saturday when he dons the Lithgow Zig Zag uniform in its men’s Premier League Hockey 2018 season opener.
In the midst of a well-earned break from Kookaburras duty, the national representative will suit up for his long-time club against arch-rivals and reigning premiers Panthers.
“The Australian coaching staff have given us three weeks off,” Sharp explained.
“I’m going to spend two weeks in Lithgow relaxing, but I’ll be playing for my Sydney side Ryde, as well as for Zig Zag in the local derby.
His addition will be a welcome boost for Zig Zag, who will undoubtedly make the most of not only Sharp’s skills but his experience at the sport’s elite level.
Commonwealth gold capped a meteoric rise for the Lithgow product, who was plucked from the national development squad late last year to be elevated to the national team for the World League finals, making his international debut against India.
He permanently swapped his hi-vis gear for Australia’s green and gold uniform when he was invited to join the national squad in Perth – where he now resides – in January.
His elevation to the international ranks was punctuated on Saturday evening when he was presented with his gold medal, a moment Sharp described as “awesome”.
“The first night I had the medal on the whole time,” he said.
“Since then it’s just been great to have it and to show it to friends and family.”
Sharp said the honour of representing his country was not one he was likely to take for granted any time soon.
“Even though I am new to the squad I always had some hope there before I was picked,” he said.
“When you stop and think you’re one of the top 18 players in the country it’s a special feeling, one you can’t take lightly.”
Saturday’s Lithgow derby starts at 1.30pm while in this weekend’s other round one match-up Bathurst St Pat’s faces Bathurst Souths, from 1.50pm.
