SELDOM does a player joining a new side take on a senior or leadership role within that group, but that is exactly what has happened this year for Bathurst City utility Sam Hopwood.

Arriving at the club having previously played her women’s Premier League Hockey with Orange Ex-Services, Hopwood has become a vital component of a team which will today aim at qualifying for their seventh grand final in eight years.

They will have to beat the still undefeated Lithgow Panthers in Lithgow to do it, but having drawn with the minor premiers only three weeks ago on their home turf, City deserve to have belief in their ability.

“The last time we played them we didn’t give them any room at all and by full-time we were probably a bit unlucky not to actually get the win,” Hopwood said.

“We probably should have - actually I probably should have got at least a goal, but kept missing. I had plenty of shots that could have put us ahead.

“I think if we do play like we did last time we can certainly beat them, but we still know how tough a job it is to go over there and beat them.

“They have a game plan they have stuck to for five years that works for them. They are so good with their passes that they can throw the ball and just know someone else will be there. We have to shut that down.”

Hopwood still lives and works in Orange, but decided to join the club after playing for the NSW Country under 21s with City pair Andrea Seymour and Kelsey Willott last year.

Having played at that level in addition to her seasons with Ex-Services in Premier League, Hopwood instantly became one of the most experienced members of the City squad given the amount of young players in the group.

Along with players like Seymour, Willott, Jess Hotham and Casey Bayliss, she has played a major role in keeping City near the top of the table.

The return of former skipper Tanya Lowe where available has also been a contributor.

“I played with a couple of the girls with Country last year and thought it would be great to be able to do it on a more regular basis,” Hopwood said.

“I’ve absolutely loved it, they are a great group to play with, there are so many young players but they are all very skilful and have a lot of talent.

“The style the team plays with is good and they use a game plan that has been very comfortable for me to adjust to.

“When we first got together at the start of the year we spoke about what we were aiming at this season, and it was looked at as a development year. But the young players have stepped up so much and we know we can go further now.”

One asset that Hopwood brings more than arguably any other City player is her versatility. She expects it to be used once more this afternoon in Lithgow.

“With Country last year I played at centre-half, but this season I’ve basically played everywhere except goalie at different times,” she said.

“As one of the older girls, I think my role is to fill up those spots where we might be having a problem at a given stage of the game or an injury, or even if we just need to change things up a bit.”

Bathurst City play Panthers in Lithgow from 2.45pm this afternoon.