ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – The scene is now set for the remainder of the season in the Eastern Conference, Perth Thunder now sit only one game behind Adelaide Adrenaline for second position. 10 points out of a possible 12 from their last four games on the road, leaving Perth’s Head Coach Stan Scott happy with their position and his team’s progression in their inaugural season.
I had the privilege to speak with Stan by phone to get a perspective from where he sits right now.
“Yeah I’m pretty happy with the way we played on the road, I think it’s more of the case towards the end our systems have started to work a lot better for us. Being a new team it just doesn’t just all happen in ten minutes.”
“The guys need experience more than anything, particularly at this level of hockey whether it be home or away.”
Perth’s early season form was erratic, struggling to find the consistency that would be expected to play at this level. A defining weekend at home gave the fledgling club the belief and as a result has turned their season around.
16th and 17th June saw an inform Adelaide Adrenaline head over to Perth, full of confidence they would be bringing home six points. Instead found themselves out played by a more determined Perth seeking the clubs first ever back to back victories at home.
Photo courtesy of Perth Thunder
“We had dug ourselves a bit of a hole before that, one of the advantages was we knew we were the underdogs after Adelaide had previously beaten us twice. I talked to the players saying we had nothing to lose and a playoff spot was still within reach.”
“I reminded them this was the team we would be competing against for that spot, losing another six points puts them further and further away so we needed to play these games like Grand Finals.”
Perth easily took the six points that weekend, but was it worth more than just six-point weekend?
“For us it was really a twelve point weekend, stopping them (Adelaide) from taking those points away and pulling six back to better our position in the league.”
Perth from this point have found greater stability with the club, consistency on the ice and developed more maturity. This is also evident in a turn around with time spent in the penalty box, which hurt the team’s performance and ultimately their early season results.
“I think at the start it was a refereeing change from local to this level of competition, playing with referees in other states you don’t know and we had to adjust to their game as opposed to them adjusting to ours.”
Perth were suffering on their penalty killing and needed to find the right personnel for the job. This was a difficult for Stan finding the right chemistry that could ultimately save you games.
“Our biggest problems were stick penalties and it’s hard taking that out of the guys. Our penalty kill in the first half of the season was terrible and we’re a lot better at that now. We just couldn’t cope with it and was very hard trying to find the best guys for it.”
“You try the skilled guys thinking that they will just do the job, but ultimately as the season developed we found some of our less skilled guys were better at it. They had the better work ethic and were able to get the puck out of your end zone.”
With six regulation games left to play for Perth, there is a real confidence building they can take that elusive second position and fulfill the goal they had at the start of the season.
“We let ourselves down at the beginning of the season, but the opportunity is there now and this opportunity could bring out the best in the players, knowing the season isn’t dead but well and truly alive.”
“The pressure is on Adelaide’s shoulders not ours, I think we have the self belief that we can win this weekend and it’s going to go down right to the last game of the season.”
Adelaide have a tough weekend coming up all be it at home, facing Sydney Bears on Saturday and Newcastle North Stars on Sunday (11-12 August).
“I believe out of all the teams we played this season, they are the most under achieved team and will give Adelaide a real run. They’re (Bears) are a real good hockey team, wherever they turn up, they don’t like to lose and they won’t fly halfway across the country to lose a game.”
In a recent interview with Andrew McDougall, Perth’s Phil Ginand attributes their second line to the rise in form and the all Australian line has also added to Perth’s goal scoring potential.
“I totally agree with that, at the beginning of the season every teams imports will always perform the tasks put before them and it’s combining a second line of locals. A line that can play as good as other import lines and compete.”
“At the beginning of the season our lines weren’t quite balanced, it took a bit of experimentation to find three forwards especially who could stick to the system 100%. It’s a selfless task as you take away your own scoring opportunities and you actually take one for the team. As any coach will do, you put your most skilled players on the second line.”
“Our second line has gone six games for three goals so for an Australian line, that’s pretty good.”
Perth’s main club target at the beginning of the season, was to bring in good talented locals and be able to bring them into this level of hockey and give them good experience.
“We’re probably one of the few teams that have ran three lines, it was to bring them some experience for next year so no matter what imports we bring in, they’re up to the standard.”
Not since 1983 had Western Australia won a National championship (coached by Stan Scott) and last August (2011) they broke that drought, winning the Jim Brown (for 17 years and over) tournament in Adelaide. With six players from that championship representing the Thunder, you would have to a lot of contribute that success to wear Perth are at right now.
“It has contributed a lot, we knew the Thunder was coming and prior to that tournament I said to some of the twenty year olds if you want to be a part of this Thunder thing, you have to step up now.”
Eight years leading into the Browns Stan was coaching director of Western Australian hockey, with the help support of his coaching team, can hold their heads up high bringing hockey in their state to the level and professionalism it is right now.
“With the development in ice hockey in Western Australia and if you look at our National championships over the last two years, we have also won Gold in the Defris this year, Silver in Tange and the Thunder has had part towards that. Winning that Brown gives the kids the belief we can win tournaments and with the Thunder coming also gives the kids something to strive for.”
“I think WA hockey has taken a large step forward and I think we will see some good things come out of this state in 3 to 4 years.”
Stan Scott is an extremely modest and humble gentleman, so how does Stan rate his own performance to date?
“I would probably say I could have done a bit better at moments, I would like to say I’ve done some good things, finished games and made decisions that have gone our way. There has been a lot of pressure on me (especially at the beginning), but there is a lot of room for improvement. I have also taken a level 3 course this year but I needed experience coaching at this level too.”
Stan has a stern record in their local league with 12 championships in 18 years.
“It’s not the same but I have really learnt a lot this year but I’m sure I will have a better season as coach and the players will have a better season.”
It’s hard to come by the Stan Scotts in the professional world of sport in the modern era and Perth Thunder will certainly benefit in the years to come as they strive for the success at this top level in Australian hockey.
Contact Michael.Rozleja@prohockeynews.com
Follow us on twitter @prohockeynews
You must be logged in to post a comment.