SHARKS will look to end an eight year premiership drought in Manning women's A-grade hockey in Saturday's grand final against Tigers.
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In fact it has been eight years since the club even played in a women's A-grade decider.
Sharks will go into the game much-the-underdog, a fact coach Scott Harry readily acknowledges.
However, Harry said the A-grade competition has been close all year.
"Tigers haven't been as dominant as other seasons,'' he pointed out.
"We've handled them pretty well this year.''
Sharks upset premiers Wingham in extra time in the final last week to earn a crack at Tigers, although Harry believes that wasn't totally unexpected.
"We've been a bit up and down in the last month, but we were quietly confident going into the final,'' he said.
In saying that Harry agreed that Tigers have a strong arsenal and Sharks will have to contain players the calibre of Kylie Hilder along with Australian Country representative Ash Alcorn if they are going to get the club's name on the premiership trophy again.
Harry said there's a sprinkling of grand final experience in his side. He added the Kristy Aldridge has been strong for the side all year at striker while Kristen Gates plays with composure and this will be vital in the high pressure encounter.
Ash Green, who is set to play an important role in defence, dislocated her finger in the clash against Wingham, but Harry assured she will be right for the grand final.
TIGERS centre midfield Kylie Hilder will have a pain killing injection so she can take her place in the side for Saturday’s Manning A-grade women’s hockey grand final against Sharks.
Hilder has been troubled by a leg injury since playing in the touch football World Cup earlier this year.
“Kylie had a bit of treatment earlier week but she’ll have a needle to make sure she’s right for the grand final,’’ coach Tony Lewis said.
Lewis said Hilder has been outstanding in the centre midfield this year since taking over from Australian Country representative Holli Wheeler, who has left the area.
The coach isn’t concerned that even with the injection Hilder will be less than 100 per cent fit.
“A 90 per cent fit Kylie Hilder is still a big plus for us,’’ he said.
Lewis said two players who have been missing in recent weeks for different reasons will both be right.
Ash Alcorn has recovered from a broken finger while Taylor McIntosh retuns from overseas. Both played in the major semi-final win over Wingham and will be better for that gallop.
Tigers went into last year’s grand final against Wingham as probably the shortest priced favourites on the day’s program. However, Wingham caused the upset and Lewis said his side is focused and determined to ensure that doesn’t happen again.
He admits playing Sharks has meant a slightly different preparation for his side.
“Most people would have thought Wingham would have been there,’’ he said.
However, he added that Sharks have shown plenty of character to survive two sudden death matches.
“They’re a well coached side,’’ he said.
Lewis tips the first 15 minutes will decide the grand final.
He said Tigers have a number of younger players - some aged just 16 - and they will have to settle into the game.
“This is also foreign territory for Sharks - their first grade final in eight years, so we need to put the pressure on them,’’ he said.
TIGERS have suffered a major blow going into Saturday evening's Manning A-grade hockey grand final against Chatham.
A mix-up in the date for the match means goal keeper Matt Pullen, a former NSW Country representative, will miss the game.
"He'll be away on a cruise,'' coach Tony Lewis explained.
"Unfortunately he got the wrong date for the grand final.''
Lewis admits Pullen's absence will be a 'big loss,' as Tigers look to end Chatham's stranglehold on the premiership.
"That's not only for his goal keeping but also for the way Matt communicates with the team in defence,'' Lewis explained.
Tigers are also involved in the men's B-grade decider. This means B-grade keeper Phil Newell will have a busy day.
"Phil will double up and play the both games,'' Lewis said.
The loss of Pullen means the Tigers will certainly go into the game as underdogs, However, Lewis said this would have been the case anyway, despite his side beating Chatham in the major semi.
Lewis contends that Tigers went into this year regarded by many as the 'third wheel' behind Chatham and Sharks.
"But my team has a lot of attributes and one of them is experience,'' he said.
Lewis said that a full strength Chatham deserve to be favourites and he agrees the Wolves have host a number of match winners.
He said fullback Brad Mitchell will play a key role tomorrow.
"Brad's been in great form all year and now he'll have to pick up the communication now that Matt's out,'' he said.
Defensive halves Paul Cox and Blake McIntosh will have the job of shutting down the Chatham attack. The Tigers midfield of Robert Fish, Mark Atkins and Rhett Pattison are all big match players and Lewis said their experience in a pressure game will be invaluable.
Tigers were beaten grand finalists last season. Lewis said his players know the hollow feeling that accompanies losing a grand final. He said they're determined to ensure a brighter end to the season on Saturday night.
CHATHAM will seek to play an up-tempo game in the Manning A-grade men's hockey grand final against Tigers.
The defending premiers earned another crack at Tigers by beating Sharks 3-1 in the final after the match went into overtime. The previous week Tigers upset Chatham 3-1 in the major semi.
Chatham coach Frank Birkefeld said said he will have his strongest roster available for the grand final after going into the semi without the unavailable Hal Phillips and the injured Blake Hinton. Both returned last week. Hinton has struggled with injury this year, battling first a knee problem before sitting out three weeks with a broken wrist.
Birkefeld has the greatest respect for the experienced Tigers lineup, particularly fullback Brad Mitchell, who he said has been in solid form all year along with the experienced midfield of Robert Fish, Rhett Pattison and Mark Atkins. However, he believes Chatham will have the edge if they are able to run Tigers around the park.
"I suppose it's going to be a bit hard to run Rhett (Pattison) around - he's a triathlete and can run all day,'' Birkefeld smiled.
However, Birkefeld will look to use his interchange regularly throughout the grand final.
"We want to keep playing at a quick pace,'' he explained.
"I have a lot of depth on the bench and I'll be looking to maintain the pressure.''
If the game plan works Birkefeld is confident Chatham will be able to assume control in the championship minutes of the grand final in what he otherwise expects to be another tight encounter.
He believes the Wolves boast a number of match winners, including Hinton, Blake McIntosh and Ben Ferguson, who scored two goals against Sharks last week. Birkefeld said Phillips and Reid Bourke have been outstanding at the back throughout this year's campaign. Centre striker Luke Hough has improved throughout the season while Matt Doherty controls play from centre half.
The match is timed to start at 6pm.