2012 North Pilbara Football League Season Preview

South Hedland Swans coach Troy Ugle says his side is still hurting from last season’s North Pilbara Football League grand final loss to arch rival Port Hedland Rovers.

Swans shocked the entire league in 2011 by coming from nowhere the previous year to grand finalists under the guidance of former West Coast Eagle, Ugle.

However, the Cinderella story did not produce a happy ending with Ugle’s men unable to overcome a powerful and disciplined Rovers outfit in the decider.

“It hurts when you lose a grand final,” Ugle told the North West Telegraph ahead of his side’s season opener against Karratha Falcons on Saturday. “We did give it a crack last year but I think we can go that one little bit better this year.”

Swans won’t have to look far for inspiration this weekend as they visit Bulgarra Oval, the scene of the club’s magical preliminary final victory last year where the underdogs from South Hedland stunned the reigning premier Falcons to book their place in the grand final.

“My guys have just got to have that hunger and burning desire (to repeat last year’s success),” Ugle said. “We’ve got to take it a game at a time. We’ve got a lot of new faces at the footy club, guys that can really play, so that’s a bonus.”

Ugle’s cross-town counterpart Rick Hockey said it had been business as usual for Rovers this pre-season, although the annual turn-over of players had taken its toll.

“Like every team we have lost a lot but we have also gained some,” the premiership coach said. “I think we’re going to be competitive and we’ll be looking to be in the top three, but we certainly need to rebuild and get a good balanced team to be where we were last year.”

Rovers will kick off their league and reserves title defence this Saturday night against Dampier. Hockey said motivating the players would not be a problem but finding the right mix could take time.

“I don’t think hunger is an issue because you lose up to 10 players out of your team each year … it’s like coaching a brand new team,” he said. “The real challenge is getting a good group of players with the right attitude to be able to put together a winning combination. The hunger is easy; it’s getting the right mix of people and players.”

Rovers and Swans will not meet each other until round four, with both teams making a trip to Karratha in the opening three rounds.