By Tara Murray
Caroline Springs’ men’s sides are on track to play finals for the first time in Hockey Victoria’s winter competition.
In just the club’s second year, the men’s program has doubled in size and they are starting to see the results on the pitch.
Springers coach David Gorton said it was exciting to see the pace of development this year.
“We knew as a new club it was going to be tough,” he said.
“We put in a beginners’ side last season. We had some quality players train with us over the off season and they have stayed.
“We’ve now got 31 players from 16 last year and have two really strong sides and it puts us in a good spot.”
The top side, men’s metro A north west, sits third.
On Sunday they won 9-0 against La Trobe University.
While the Springers’ strikers have regularly found the back of the net, it has been the defence which has been the standout, with the side conceding the least goals in the division.
Gorton said they had a really strong side.
“We have quality in all spots, including the bench, which we need to have as we have a high-tempo game,” he said.
“It’s a major strength of the squad. We managed to attract some good quality players with Vic League experience.
“They decided to jump on board early and get a spot to help push the team into being a force in the next few years.”
Gorton said there was two other quality teams in the division, and on their day they could beat both of them.
While a premiership would be good, Gorton said the main focus was to do enough to earn promotion into Vic League 3 as they look to move up the ranks and eventually into Premier League.
The metro B West side is also in the top four.
Gorton said the remaining rounds were about preparing for finals.
“When we have a full complement anything can happen, especially come finals,” he said.
“We’re settling down our squads in preparation.”
All four senior sides look on track to play finals.
