It has been the pairing to watch all season and this weekend will see the Lithgow Panthers meet Bathurst Souths in the men’s premier league hockey major semi-final.
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Panthers player-coach Trent McDonald said the side was feeling pretty good ahead of the clash at Bathurst on Saturday.
“We’ve got a pretty strong side so we are feeling pretty confident,” he said.
“That being said, the semi-final is a different game. Souths are an extremely strong side and unfortunately we have to play [in Bathurst].”
He said Panthers had a good mix of youth and experience on the field.
“The young guys bring a bit of pace and I think our fitness is probably better. And then there’s our experience.
“We’ve been there for 17-18 years now, we know what we've got to do. We’re going to rely on that experience.”
Player availability has been a problem for the Panthers throughout the season but McDonald said they should have a full side for the semi.
The prize, should they win on Saturday, would be a significant strategic advantage going into the grand final – a home game.
“That’s the big thing – it’s a huge advantage,” McDonald said.
“We are very hard to beat at home.”
Bathurst Souths coach Ray Winwood-Smith said he knew the team must step things up a notch.
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An 8-3 victory over Orange Wanderers in the final round of the regular season saw Souths earn its first minor premiership this decade.
The head-to-head record between the Panthers-South pair this season stands at one win apiece, Souths winning the first meeting 8-2 and Panthers the rematch 7-3.
“To get a home semi-final is obviously nice, so the job is partly done,” Winwood-Smith said.
“We are not under any illusions, Panthers will be a different side again. They will have all their players available and man for man, I’d say they are still the best team on paper.
“But that doesn’t mean they necessarily have the best team on the field and we are quite confident.
“If we play like we did in the second half against Wanderers, then I think anything is possible.”
McDonald said the Panthers would be working to nullify the Souths’ dominance in the centre.
“We’re confident in our game plan, what’s got to happen and we hope to execute it on the day.”
The Panthers thanked the Lithgow and District Workmen's Club and the Lithgow Tyre Service for their support throughout the season.