Zig Zag men are hoping this year it’s their time to shine in the premier league limelight.
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The consistently strong side are on the hunt to make their first ever grand final appearance in the premier league hockey competition, entering the sudden death round this weekend in third place on the table.
“We’ve never won the premier league and we’ve never been in a grand final. The finals are as far as we’ve ever been able to get to,” manager Brian Kelly said.
“We’ve only ever missed out on the semi-finals once since we started the premier league.
“So hopefully this is our year, let’s keep our fingers crossed.”
Ziggies will play a must-win minor semi against Bathurst St Pat’s at Lithgow on Saturday, the hosting rights of which they secured beating Pat’s 6-1 last weekend.
“They [St Pat’s] had a couple of key players out, they probably didn’t have their best day,” Kelly said.
“If we take them lightly we’ll suffer the consequences I think.
“It will certainly be a more challenging and a lot closer game.”
Kelly said Ziggies’ line up would be much the same as last week’s, commending the play of Luke Sheppard who scored three of Saturday’s six goals, Joe Radburn and inner striker Eli Shirt.
“I think Eli has been one of our go-to players throughout the season,” he said.
The team will be focused on taking what worked well against St Pat’s into Saturday’s rematch.
“Things like not wasting opportunities in the opposing circle, making sure if we don’t score a goal that we work to get corners,” Kelly said.
“The home ground should be an advantage for us, all our supporters, we should have everybody there.”
Mr Kelly said he believed this could be Zig Zag’s year to win the premiership, despite having to walk the thin line of knock-out rounds.
“I think we’re gradually improving and getting better sticking to the game plan,” he said.
“We’ve got the ability to do it for sure.”
Zig Zag play St Pat’s at 2.30pm on Saturday, August 25.
