Preparation key in interleague clash: coach

Preparation will be the key to restoring the Pilbara’s pride against Broome and Derby’s best footy players, interleague coach Rick Hockey says.

The former Port Hedland Rovers premiership captain-coach takes charge of the North Pilbara Football League’s best players as they face-off against the West Kimberley Football League squad at Colin Matheson Oval this Saturday.

The NPFL team under Hockey is coming off a convincing win against Newman’s league last year, however its record against the Kimberley makes for more sombre reading.

The northerners have humbled the Pilbara players in their last three clashes.

“They gave us a right old touch-up twice on our own oval and they have beaten us up in Broome as well,” Hockey said.

To right this wrong, Hockey did what all good coaches should do and took his players to the pub.

“I’m focusing on preparation and how we go about making sure we are 100 per cent committed to the game and outcome,” he said.

“Unfortunately because (our Hedland and Karratha players) are 230-odd kilometres apart, it is very hard to get training runs in.”

“So we took a different approach this year and … we went down to Whim Creek and put on a few beers and a feed and I went through a 30-to-40 minute talk with the players about how we would approach the game.”

“We had pretty good numbers (and) it was a success and we will probably continue that next year.”

Hockey said he had been watching local games and chatting to each NPFL coach over email and the phone to determine the best game plan.

He also has last year’s grand final coaches, Troy Melville from the South Hedland Swans and Kristian Dicton from the Dampier Sharks serving as assistants.

He said his team made it clear that the game was not to be taken lightly.

“That was clearly the message (from Whim Creek), we’re going out there to win not to lose,” he said.

“So if we don’t win it won’t be because we haven’t prepared properly and haven’t gone into this game 100 per cent committed.”