Coach's Report Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues Vs Adelaide

Blue Tongues Have Final 4 Destiny in Their Hands

Walsh returns to face old team!

This weekend we travel to Adelaide to play two important games against the always tough Adrenaline. The benefit we have with 6 games to go in the season is we currently sit in 2nd place on the competition ladder, 5 points up on 3 teams (including Adelaide) so our destiny is in our hands. We win the 2 games this weekend and we remain in 2nd and have almost mathematically secured a final 4 spot.

The boys are aware of the task at hand and with the addition of two veterans to the line-up this weekend in Trevor Walsh and Don Burke our continuous improvement on the road during the current 8 game stretch should be achieved. During the past road trips we have gone from strength to strength in intensity, passion, solid D, disciplined play with everyone chipping in and doing what they are good at and completing their roles taking one shift and one period at a time.

This weekend will be a real test as Adelaide will come out firing after coming off consecutive losses. These are the games in which we need to set the tempo and come away with the wins as in all likely hood Adelaide will be a team we face during the final 4. The boys are fired up to win both this weekend as it will enable us to finish the road portion of our season at a .500 winning percentage (one of our team goals from the start of the season). We then finish the season off at home with 4 games during the month of August.  

The team that will be required to play with passion, smart, disciplined, finishing and 45 minutes of hockey each game this weekend is as follows:

Goal:

#30 - Luke Fiveash, Luke played excellent goal last weekend and was the 1st star for the team over the two games. Luke will be getting the start on Saturday

#1 - CJ Anderson, CJ will back up Luke.

Defence:

Our 3 D played great last weekend logging tons of ice time.

#8 - Cam Trew, Cam played well last week, chipped in with an assist on an important goal in last Saturday's game, agan Cam needs to keep his game simple to be successful.

#21 - Chris Martin "A", Marty played well last week, Marty needs to keep his emotions in check and stay out of the penalty box.

#44 - Don Burke, Don's return to the line-up is a welcome one, Don's experience and disciplined play will need to be on display against Adelaide.  

#88 - Henrik Ivarsson, Henrik was very good at both ends of the ice last weekend, Henrik continues to put up good offensive numbers while playing solid D.


Forwards:

#19 - Trevor Walsh, this is the weekend Walshie has been looking forward to all year, look for Walshie to have a big weekend as he has done many times over a 9 year career with Adelaide, having Walshie's presence and experience on the road will be a big plus.

#5 - Ben Spillane, Ben returns from suspension and will see action on both forward and D, Ben's presence will be vital this weekend.

#10 - Jon Bale, Jonnie chipped in with an important goal on Saturday and was focused on both ends of the ice last weekend, something the team requires, Jonnie took over from Marco as "Stitch" last weekend.

#22 - Marco Bertossa, "Stitch" played great defensive hockey last weekend and had a few chances to score, both aspects the team needs this weekend.

#27 - Ross Howell "C", Ross will see action both on D and up front this weekend, Ross played strong defensive hockey and probably had most opportunities offensively last week, something that the team will need to continue this weekend.

#96 - Dave Upton "A", Davey scored the winner last Sunday, he has fit in nicely on the Smulders - Selander line. The team requires Davey to play intense hockey.

#7 - Andre Selander, Andre scored the winner last Saturday, the team needs another big weekend from Andre.

#9 - Brad Smulders, Brad had another big weekend last week( 3 Goals 3 Assists). Brad shows no signs of slowing down and as always will be counted on heavily this weekend.

Suspended:

None

Missing due to family commitments:

None

Missing due to work commitments:

#16 - Jack Connor, Forward
#17 - Matt Stubbert, Forward

Missing due to injury:

#1 - Milan Novysedlak, Goal

Destiny is a great thing when you control it and this weekend we will. We need only to focus on the things we can control and that is playing the Adrenalene, 1 shift, one period and one game at a time. Winning every battle, staying disciplined and focused and destiny will be ours. It will not be easy, however, the "we" as a group will be up for the challenge.

Cheers
Kevin Sands