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The Mark Pengilly and Adam Hurford-coached Orange outfit is as young a side as Wanderers has fielded in recent years, and has been handed the ultimate baptism of fire in their men’s Premier League Hockey opener on Saturday afternoon.
Lithgow Panthers, in Lithgow.
“It doesn’t get much tougher than that,” Pengilly said, his side had the bye in round one.
“They’re the reigning premiers and they’re coming off a big win over a strong Lithgow Zig Zag side, the 4-0 result there surprised everyone a bit I think, so it will certainly be one of the tougher road trips we’ll have this year I think.
"Hopefully we can get ourselves a good result, we’d be happy with a close game but it’d be incredible if we could cause an upset.”
Pengilly said he’ll be looking to the likes of Logan Dolbel, Brad Pengilly, Dubbo’s Jack Erskine, Jacob Skelton and Noah Jones to stand up under pressure, those names are a fair indication of the average age the side will have too.
“We’ve lured Alex Said out of retirement is back too to help out these guys, but Logan is basically the oldest player in the side now,” Pengilly said.
“Honestly, that’s a little scary but this type of rebuild had to happen at some point and it’s good to put a bit more responsibility on these younger players in a way.”
With that youth, Pengilly says, comes enthusiasm and pace.
“They’re things we’ve spoken about trying to use really well, that enthusiasm, natural fitness and of course the speed these guys all have,” he explained.
“We’ve got quite a bit of pace through the midfield and that’s one thing we really want to play with.
“Saturday will be a really big test for these guys but they’re all raring to go and I guess we’ll get a look at where we are as a side too.”
Wanderers face Panthers from 2.40pm, at Lithgow.