AS Souths take to the Cooke Hockey Complex turf today they will be playing to maintain third place on the men’s Premier League Hockey ladder, but for defender Dylan Smith there will be some added motivation to get the better of Parkes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Today will be Smith’s last game with Souths for three weeks, the talented defender having earned a call-up to the NSW Country side which will head to Toowoomba, Queensland for the national titles.
That tournament will run from August 2-9, Smith then set to chop at the Brisbane Show before returning to club duties with Souths.
Smith’s NSW Country selection will mark the first time he has worn state colours since graduating from the junior ranks.
“I have played for New South Wales before, basically all the way from under 13s to under 18s,” Smith said.
“All my junior years I played rep hockey, but this will be my first time at the senior age group.
“It is exciting and I am pretty keen actually.”
It was Smith’s performance with the Bathurst representative side at the state championships which led to his selection in the NSW Country team, an outfit which will also feature St Pat’s talent Sam Macpherson.
Smith admitted the representative call-up came as a surprise given he felt both he and the Bathurst side did not produce their best.
“We didn’t really perform to our best; we didn’t win any games. But in saying that, we were up against some pretty good sides and we went well considering that,” he said.
“I don’t think I really played my best hockey, but all you can do is try and I guess it worked out for me.
“It was just a bit of a bonus really; I didn’t expect it. I didn’t really think I was good enough to make it.”
But before Smith, who plays half or fullback, begins his bid to win a national championship, first he wants to help Souths beat Parkes.
Parkes are currently sitting in fifth position on the ladder, six points behind the two blues, but they are certainly a team that can match those above them.
Parkes won their first meeting with Souths this year 3-2, but since then Smith and his team-mates have played a better brand of hockey.
They bettered Parkes 3-1 in the rematch earlier this month, while last Saturday, Souths produced what was arguably their best half this year when scoring four goals in 17 minutes against Orange Wanderers. They went on to win that game 5-2.
“I think a lot of the boys have been putting a fair bit more effort into training and if we can keep up that effort, then I think good things will come our way,” Smith said.
“[But] This really is a must win game for us to keep our finals chances alive.
“They are a pretty unpredictable team. They are a team that if you don’t take all your opportunities, they will hit you back pretty quick.”
Smith will be doing all he can to make sure Parkes don’t get the chance to find the back of the net, his mission to get underway at 3.20pm this afternoon.