Tara Murray
Things are going to plan so far for Altona in the Hockey Victoria premier league men’s competition, but it isn’t getting ahead of itself.
The Seagulls sit atop the ladder after 14 rounds with just one loss for the season.
Coach Greg Drake said things were going along OK this season.
“We are going really well, but there’s still a lot of challenges,” he said. “The competition is really close.
“We’re coming along OK but there’s still a long way to go and there’s good teams in the competition.”
Drake said after a slow start to the season as he and the players got used to each other, with him taking on the role this season.
He said he was pleased with what he was seeing.
“I think they have got good ability and it was about seeing what I think they are capable of,” he said.
“What they are capable of a lot. They have been excellent. The capability was high and the willingness is high as well.”
The Seagulls have had to rely on their depth this season with a number of injuries and absences.
Midfielder Kieran Symons is the latest out and he will miss five weeks.
One player they haven’t seen much of is Cooper Burns, but that is set to change.
“He returns this week,” Drake said of Burns, who is part of the Australian national program.
“We’ve only had him a few games and he is pretty important. He is one of the best strikers in the country.
“Anytime we can bring him back into the team is helpful. We’re excited to have him back.”
Burns will be added to a side that is coming off a 6-0 win against Footscray on Saturday.
Liam Kerr-Nelson scored two of those goals, while the rest were single goal scorers.
Drake said they didn’t expect that score line.
“That was completely unexpected,” he said. “They have beaten some strong teams and we respect them a lot.
“It was a really good effort and six goals is amazing. We were really efficient, it wasn’t a true reflection of the game.”
While the Seagulls got the win, it was the Bulldogs that claimed the Western Trophy which the two teams play for with more wins overall in the senior program on the day.
The Seagulls will be back in action on Thursday night Hawthorn.
Drake was out watching Hawthorn in preparation for the game.
“They are a team that is hard to beat.”
In the women’s premier league match, Footscray beat Altona 2-1.
