HOCKEY - Women to be more aggressive

A flying start is what Northland captain Laura Douglas wants from her troops come the start of the National Hockey League on Saturday.
She believes the Northland team is stronger than last season and six points in the opening weekend could see them well on the way to fulfilling a role as the dark horse in the women's competition.
Meeting their old nemesis Canterbury in the opening match of the competition is a great opportunity to catch them by surprise, she said.
"It's really important for us to get a good start because we've got Canterbury first up and in the last couple of years we've played them later on (and been beaten)," Douglas said.
"We're going to be kind of unpredictable this year as we're playing a faster, more aggressive attacking game."
Douglas said Canterbury were a strong side but would be more predictable.
"We know their style, so hopefully we'll be able to surprise them before they can get used to our game."
A stubborn Southern loom as their second opponent in a must-win match on Sunday.
Despite the much publicised loss of some of Northland's young stars to the Auckland and North Harbour provinces, Douglas believes the team is better balanced than the side who started last year's campaign.
"More than half of the team last year were under-18 players and this year there are only four, including Lotte (Black Stick Charlotte Harrison) - who you can't really count as a young player - so that experience will help."
The return of former Black Stick Jan Rowsell, who is Douglas' co-captain, and Australia Country captain Shannon Worth gives the midfield a solid look to it.
"Our Aussie import will also add plenty of experience playing at centre half because that's a really hard position for a young player to fill," Douglas said.
Without Harrison or Worth the side have impressed in their pre-season matches with a one-goal defeat by Auckland in their first competitive match together and a 5-1 demolition job of Midlands in their second hit-out.
The latter victory, albeit without Midlands' Black Stick defender Di Weavers, was even more convincing and seems to pour cold water on fears about too few natural strikers in the squad.
"Originally they wanted me to play up front but I think we'll be all right (without me), especially when Charlotte gets back, because Anna Thorpe is playing really well and scoring goals," Douglas said.
Northland women:
Charlotte Harrison, Anna Thorpe, Laura Douglas (co-captain), Natasha Cotton, Natalie Child, Nicky Dorrington (Auckland import), Jan Rowsell (co-captain), Kelsey Dunn, Keri Linklater, Jasmin McQuinn, Tania Crene, Tarannah Vette, Rhonda Rowsell, Nikki Attwood, Nicky Matthews, Nicky Howes, Joanne McQueen, Shannon Worth (Australian import). Coach: Paul Snelling.
Players to watch:
Laura Douglas: 24, Old Girls, inner. Douglas will add attacking depth from the midfield with her great stick work and vision and will give as captain.
Charlotte Harrison: 18, Girls' High, forward. The future is bright for this rising star but she will have extra responsibility in the side this year as a goal scorer.
Shannon Worth: 26, Australian import, half. A lot is expected from the experienced Queenslander who will fill the pivotal centre half role. She was impressive in her trial match last month against the touring British Colombia side but needs to have a big season.
Rhonda Rowsell: 21, Maungakaramea, defender. Youth belies her experience. Will direct the defence.
Draw:
Round 1, Sept 22, v Canterbury at Hamilton, 10am; Round 2, Sept 23, v Southern at Hamilton, 9am; Round 3, Sept 28, v North Harbour at Albany, 12pm; Round 4, Sept 29, v Midlands, 11am; Round 5, Oct 6, v Auckland at Auckland, 3pm; Round 6, Oct 7, v Wellington at Whangarei; Round 7, Oct 11 v Central, at Albany.
• Semifinals start at Albany on Oct 13, with finals the following day.