Cairns Hockey season gets underway – 2022 top rising stars
A-grade Cairns Hockey is back, and we’ve found the rising stars in each team ahead of the season opener. 2021 GRAND FINAL REPLAYS HERE >>>
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The astroturf at Cairns Hockey will come alive once again on Friday night, as sticks clash for the start of the 2022 season.
Souths men’s squad will look to defend their title of top dogs in the Cairns Hockey men’s A-grade competition, with the season getting underway this Friday.
After capping a top season with a thrilling finale, Souths will take on Saints to start off their season at 8pm on the Rainforest ground at the Cairns Hockey complex.
Prior to that, runners up Brothers will duke it out with the Trinity Stingers on the Reef Turf at 6.30pm.
Here are the top players pegged by their teammates and coaches to have a massive 2022:
Cade Coghlan
Brothers
Captain Matt Sperring says: “Cade’s been selected in the under-18 Queensland team.
“From early last season, he was such a dominant force in the competition that we could tell teams would be scouting him to get an emphasis on breaking him down early, before he had too much influence on a play.
“I expect big things from him this year to take that to another level again even though he’s only just turning 18.”
Byron Mann
Trinity Stingers
Teammate Jesse Folpp says: “He’s one of our strikers. He’s been showing some pretty good skill in training for a while.
“He’s coming into his second year … he’ll be taking more of a lead in the striker pack, trying to take lead and score some goals.”
Hayden Lane
Souths
Teammate Antonio Cavaliere says: “He’s young, developing and really promising.
“As a junior male, he’s come up and played A-grade two years ago and he’s just building and getting way better as time progresses.”
Jo Glover
Saints
Teammate Dion Woodhouse says: “Uncle Jo the great man – He’s our goalkeeper for this year.
“He’s a top bloke and his skills are amazing for a young fella; he’s very composed.
“We lean on our goaltenders in times of pressure, and Jo’s just a cool and calm character.
“All the blokes love him, he gets around everyone regardless of if they’re juniors or seniors. He’s got a loud voice which we love and we’re excited to see him further develop this year.”
Meanwhile, Souths women’s side is back and hungrier than ever to bring their club a fourth premiership in a row in 2022.
But all four of Cairns Hockey’s women’s teams will be eager to start their seasons on a high note as the season gets under way on Friday night.
The new-look Trinity Stingers will clash with Brothers on the Rainforest field at the Cairns Hockey complex at 6.30pm on Friday.
Later that night, the Reef Turf will play host to the Saints and Souths at 8pm.
Here are the top players nominated by their teams as rising stars for the 2022 season:
Ash Seivers
Brothers
What teammate Shaylee Atkinson says: “She’s an up and coming player who’s been pretty good in the rain.
“She’s 17 and maturing which is good and recently she’s been picked for Queensland which has obviously boosted her confidence up.
“She’s been in the A-grade squad for about three years now which is good – she’s one of the older players with us.”
Zara Seivers
Saints
Sophie Gilligan
Souths
What captain Caitlyn Geraghty says: “A veteran, despite being in her teens. She could still be playing in 18s, but given how great she’s played we want her in A-grade and prioritising that end of her game.”
Reese Pointing
Trinity Stingers
What coach Kate White says: “She’s coming back to hockey from a season off and already she’s showing she hasn’t lost any of her skills.
“She’s quick, she has a good attitude and looks fierce on the field.”
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