Orange product Nick Hill and his NSW Waratahs kicked off their Australian Hockey League (AHL) title bid in perfect fashion on Thursday night with a 3-1 win in their State of Origin-style campaign opener against Queensland.
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Hill scored NSW’s first goal in the victory too, from a penalty corner in the 29th minute, before Craig Tom and Robert McGuire put the result beyond doubt in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
Hill said his side’s preparation put them in good stead leading into Thursday’s opener.
“It was one of our better [lead-ups] over the last few years,” he said.
“(The win over Queensland was a good way) to see where we are at leading into the rest of the tournament.”
Hill said, considering he’s played at this level several times before now, he’s looking to become more of a leader in the Waratahs side. He also said NSW is a real chance to go all the way.
“(As each year passes) you definitely get more confident in your own ability and it gives you a chance to really stamp your authority as a leader and go to player in the side,” Hill explained.
“We’re always expected to do well but that's good because it gives us the confidence that we can win the championship.
“As always we are going to just take it game by game and hopefully make it to the finals, anything can happen from there.”
Orange products Meredith and Eddie Bone, playing for the Canberra Strikers, didn’t fare as well on the opening day but their side bounced back in Friday’s second game.
The Strikers went down 4-1 to Western Australia on the first day before regrouping and smashing New Zealand Futures 3-1.
The second result wasn’t as close as the scoreline suggested either, New Zealand scored late in the fourth quarter to make it a two-goal game.
Meredith Bone is skippering the Canberra side while Edwina is lining up in her customary defensive midfielder role, which she also played for the Hockeyroos at the Olympic Games.
Laura Gray scored a double in the win and Naomi Evans also found the back of the net.
Canberra play Tasmania on Saturday, in the lead-up to a blockbuster game against reigning champions Queensland.
"Queensland are obviously going to be really strong, but a lot of the other teams [are strong too],” Eddie Bone said.
"It'll be pretty interesting to see how it all goes."
Hill’s NSW side was due to play Victoria at 8pm (AEST) on Friday evening.