Northern coaches opt for more strike power in NHL assault

With Northland Hockey club finals finished, the countdown to the 2010 National Hockey League has begun in earnest, with both the women's and men's lineups confirmed last week.

While the Mark Cromie Northland women will be without Black Sticks Anna Thorpe, Ella Gunson, Charlotte and Samantha Harrison - who will be preparing for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi - coach Alan Lints was positive he and the coaching staff had picked a well-balanced team, blending a few key experienced players with younger, enthusiastic members.

 "We have put an over-emphasis on strikers this year because they will have such a high workload at the tournament," Lints said.
Along with their two New South Wales Institute of Sport imports, Hollie Webster and Emma Cobbin, both strikers, Lints selected an extra striker instead of another midfielder from the Northland players who trialled.
"With the likes of Melissa Simpson, Jade McLeod, Jodie Nichol, Hannah Nink and Jo McQueen - the usual front-runners from club hockey - we want to play an aggressive attacking game and overload the circle, creating plenty of opportunities to score goals," he said.

That attack will start with sound and mobile defence, with the likes of youngster Elley Miller, who won bronze with the New Zealand team at the World Youth Olympics last week in Singapore, and the more experienced Tania Crane. Lints has two goalies, Nicky Matthews and Nicky Howes, who he "trusts implicitly", while the midfield is packed with experience in the form of Laura Douglas and Alana Millington, who will co-captain the team.  The side is aiming to make it into the semifinals and better last year's seventh placing.
 "It is a bit of a journey into the unknown without our Black Sticks players but it is also very exciting ... every side is in the same boat and it's a chance to discover some more potential Black Sticks," Lints said.
Northland women will play Canterbury at North Harbour on Saturday  in another pre-tournament hit-out, looking to improve on their first effort against Auckland, who beat them 2-0.
 Meanwhile, Rosvall ITM Northland Men's coach Mike Delaney said it was difficult choosing the final few players in this year's team.
"There were quite a few players with equal or near ability, which made it hard. I'm happy with who we have to work with ... it should be a balanced team, with the traditional Northland defensive mindset, but I think we will give it a good crack this year," he said.
Northland men play North Harbour on Saturday , and Midlands on Sunday at North Harbour in their build-up to the NHL hitoff on September 11.
The side will have to wait until a few days before the tournament starts to be joined by their Australian imports, striker Troy Sutherland and centre half Robert Greene, along with Kiwis Greg Paynter (goalie) and inside forward Duncan Pearce, who all play for New South Wales.
"Greg [Paynter] has played for us several times before, while the others are all fresh into the curry," Delaney said.
"They should slide into the side easily because of their experience and ability." Northland men also finished seventh at the 2009 NHL and the coach  said the side should be able to improve that result with the Black Sticks absent at the tournament.
The first weekend of NHL starts on September 11-12 at various locations - Auckland, North Harbour and Palmerston North - before the main week-long tournament starts, on September 18, at North Harbour.
Northland Women: Tania Crene, Laura Douglas, Nicky Howes, Jackie Lints, Jo McQueen, Jade McLeod, Nicky Matthews, Elley Miller, Alana Millington, Brooke Neal, Jodie Nichol, Hannah Nink, Melissa Simpson, Hollie Smith, Jane Thompson, Rana Vette, Hollie Webster (NSW), Emma Cobbin (NSW). Northland Men: James Delaney, John Child, Thomas Keogh, Malcolm Rawnsley, Gregory Paynter, Brent Markwick, Mark Thorne, Toby Peacock, Toby Sutherland, Robert Greene, Duncan Pearce, Brad Cotton, Dave Adams, Sean Laidlaw, Gaurav
Correa, Sam Webb, Brendon Wild, Josh Tattley, James Bailey (non-travelling reserve).