CT10 x BROWN x SCHUBERT x WALLPAPERS

With the Womens Champions Trophy well under way in Nottingham currently getting the attention of the hockey world, there’s another tournament gearing up.  Barely weeks after, Germany will hold the Mens version of this event. As the teams are announced it becomes interesting to see the makeup and intentions of the coaches and countries involved.

In the case of Australia, Five Gryphon players are making the trip to Germany (Patto, Carroll, Kavanagh, Mitton, Beggers).  This means that four of the world cup and previous Champions Trophy winners sporting Gryphon gear are taking a well-earned rest back home. While we are going to be talking a lot about the players in Nottingham and Germany these four Aussies staying home are going to get a little lime-light in the next few days here on G-Life.

As with the Womens CT10, Gryphon will have a series of posters for the men. Here’s the first two posters/wallpapers of the guys not jumping on the airplane.

We’ll kick off with Kiel Brown and Grant Schubert today, both current World Champions.

Stay tuned in the next few days for Brent “Disco” Dancer and Rob Hammond’s wallpaper downloads before we head into some of the Gryphon players that will feature in Germany.

Download the Bigger Shuby Poster version:  CT10_GRYPHON_SCHUBERT_POSTER (17)

Download the Kiel Brown Wallpaper: CT10_GRYPHON_BROWN_POSTER (9)

Photo: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

PROMISING START – DISAPPOINTING FINISH x SHUBY

Hey People,

So Round 1 of the AHL is complete.  New format, new teams and the much talked about new penalty corners.  As for the results, it was a very up and down weekend for SA.

I was really looking forward to AHL this year as it would be the first time in about 8 years that I would get to play AHL in front of my home crowd, friends and family in South Australia.  Reasons being, I’ve been playing on and off in Holland since 2004 and finals week has not been held in Adelaide since I started playing with the team in 2000.  Not sure why!

Things started off very well with a 3-2 win over a Kookaburra-packed Queensland team on a cold Friday night. The Hotshots almost let it slip though after leading 3-1 with only a minute left on the clock. To QLD’s merit, they kept fight right until the very end.  Receiving a PC with a 1.20 left on the clock, Mark Knowles took it upon himself to slot one from the top of the circle with the most basic of PC variations.  Pushout-trap-run in-shoot.  Not many (including myself) thought they would have another chance with only 20 seconds left on the clock from the push back.  I think it was due to the inexperience of a young team not really knowing how to handle the situation that almost cost us.  Instead of maybe using an overhead to relieve the pressure and waste time we tried to hit it through the oncoming wall of QLD attackers, midfielders and defenders.  A hit they intercepted and with only seconds left on the clock earnt another PC.  Thankfully the hockey gods were on our side as we saved the PC and came away with maximum points. While we were under pressure for the entire 70m the team defended very well, with SA goalkeeper Kent Haigh continually making match winning saves.

Next came NT on Saturday.  This has always been a danger game for the Hotshots and no matter how well we are playing it is always a tough game.  The boys were feeling good from the previous nights match and knew a win today would put us into a very good position leading into the second round of matches.  Unfortunately we were put on the back foot from the very start, going a goal down within the first few minutes from an NT PC.  As the match went on, to me it almost felt like a role reversal from the QLD game.   SA having the lions share of the play but failing in its attempts to put a result on the score board.  Sometimes when this happens, pressure starts to slowly build on the team chasing, especially when you feel like you should be in front.  I actually always thought we’d be able to come back and it was just a matter of time.   Shots went wide and shots were saved, PC’s were played out and time slowly started to disappear. 1-0 down at half time, the second half was a repeat of the first.  NT scored within the first minute and defended well for the remainder of the game to win 2-0.

With about a minute left on the clock I received a bad hit with the ball to the foot which ended my match play for the weekend.  I had some x-rays done and was pleased to hear there were no broken bones.  Just bad bone bruising, meaning I should be ok to play this weekend and the second round of AHL.

Sunday wasn’t the best game for the Hotshots.   Generally we have done very well against WA over the past few years.  This was not to be one of them and they showed that they will again be at the top end of the ladder by seasons end.  WA played an aggressive, clinical style of game in the first half, putting away their opportunities with the scoreline reading 6-0 at half time.  For me it was very difficult to watch, considering how well the group had played only two nights before. The Hotties put up a better performance in the second half holding out WA for most of it only conceding one more goal.  So 7-0 was the final margin ending a disappointing weekend for the team after a promising start.

Still the guys are positive heading to Melbourne knowing that our best is good enough to compete with the top teams in the competition.  We just need to be more consistent with our performances, which is where the better teams come out on top.  So on to Melbourne with Victoria and Tassie in our sights.

Later

Shuby

KOOKABURRAS 2 x MALAYSIA 1

Hey people,

Due to my lack of activity on the hockey field tonight I’d thought I do something useful and post a score.

This was probably one of the most inexperienced outfits to take the field in the mighty Green and Gold.  I’m guessing the average caps for the team sat around 22 and the young Kookaburras managed to get over the line in a pretty tough encounter.

Things started with a bang from the very first attack with Jason Wilson showing a great bit of skill around the back to earn a PC in the very first minute.  Chris Ciriello made no mistake slotting a hard flick into the bottom corner giving the Kookaburras the start they needed to silence 6000 strong crowd.

The jubilation was short lived however with Malaysia striking back with one of their own.  Also through a PC, the Malaysian’s scored with a variation back to the push out person which was slapped into the net.  Questions about whether the goal should stand could’ve been asked as the ball was raised above the backboard.  It stood and the game went on.

The score stayed 1-1 for some time and chances were had by both teams to break the deadlock.  Australia having the lions share of opportunities.  The scene was set for someone to little bit of brilliance and Matt Gohdes stepped up to the plate.  Receiving the ball on the left side of the field just outside the attacking 25yd line,  he proceeded to find a pathway through the Malaysian defence.  Finally deciding to pull the trigger on a slight angle on the right side of the circle.  This would prove to be a worthy match winner but not before some last minute excitement to end the game.

The Malaysians were pressing hard for an equaliser and managed to win a PC with about a minute to play.  However, Matthew Swann was going not going to settle for anything less than an Aussie win.  Running first, he correctly guessed the Malaysian variation running down the ball and clearing it from trouble.

The Kookaburras now hold second spot on the table with 6 points behind our next opponent India on 7.   India having played an extra game.  They are fast skilful and will be very tough.  A challenge we know we are up for.

All other match up dates can be seen on www.azlanshahcup.com

Later

Shuby

HERE WE GO AGAIN x SHUBY

Well, how time flies!  It’s been just over a month since that memorable night in New Delhi.  World Champions!  I’m sure I’ll never get tired hearing people say it and nobody can take it away.

It brought back so many memories of past victories and none more so than that of the Olympics back in 2004.  Total elation and just reward for the amount of effort put in on the training track and time spent away from friends and family.  I was young and early in my career back in Athens and those first few seconds/minutes after winning were such a blur.  So much so that I had to wait to watch the reply to see what happened.

This time around I was lucky enough to be involved in the play during the last few minutes and especially in the last 30 seconds.  It seemed to take forever but as each of those seconds passed my excitement grew stronger and stronger.  I clearly remember seeing 5 seconds left on the clock when Simon Orchard passed me the ball. Four, three, two, one, I counted down in my head.  I then picked up the ball, knowing that we were then World Champions.  It was something that I had dreamt of doing.  Holding the ball up at the final whistle.   It’s a moment at that time that I’ll never forget.

In my last post I shared a moment from Beijing saying that I had made a promise.  A promise to win the World Cup.  And let me tell you, I’m glad I got to keep it.   It was by no means an easy feat.  The Kookaburras had finished runners-up at the previous two World Cups and had only won it once, way back in 1986.   Therefore I know when looking back at my career when it comes to an end, that this was one very special night.

It has also been brought to my attention that I’m only 1 of 5 Australian players to have won each of the four major hockey titles at least once. That being the Olympics, World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Champions Trophy.  The others are Rob Hammond, Liam DeYoung, Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles.

Training started back up again with the usual testing week to kick things off.  Always very interesting after a bit of time off the track, but it’s good to get back running around again.  It’s going to be a very busy six months until the completion of the Commonwealth Games and I look forward to sharing the ride with you.

Later, Shuby

PHOTO DC IMAGES | DANIEL CARSON

YOUNG GRYPHONS x AZLAN SHAH

The World Champion Kookaburras have no rest in sight with already the next squad being named for the Azlan Shah Cup in May this year.

Ric’s taken a small departure from the full senior squad with only a handful of players carrying over from the WC, including players Kiel Brown and Grant Schubert.

Brent “Disco” Dancer returns since winning gold at the Champions Trophy in Melbourne last year. Joel Carroll will make his return back from injury and with the addition of the youngest of Gryphon Guns Trent Mitton round off a very strong Gryphon representation in the squad.

2010 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup squad
George Bazeley (VIC), Ross Meadows (WA), Chris Ciriello (VIC), Brent Dancer (WA), Joel Carroll (NT), Matthew Swann (QLD), Kiel Brown (WA), Ian Burcher (WA), Glenn Simpson (VIC), Mark Paterson (NSW), Jonathon Charlesworth (WA), Tim Deavin (TAS), Kieran Govers (NSW), Grant Schubert (SA), Jason Wilson (QLD), Russell Ford (VIC), Trent Mitton (WA), Matt Gohdes (QLD)

CONGRATS x GRYPHON WORLD CHAMPS

Well they’ve had a few days to let it sink.  Those of us that were watching on the TV, reading news reports and talking about the games here at Gryphon HQ would like to formally congratulate the latest and World Champion Ambassadors for Australia and Gryphon.

Kiel Brown (WA)

Graeme Begbie (WA)

Rob Hammond (QLD)

Fergus Kavanagh (WA)

Grant Schubert (SA)

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

WC10 x SEMI FINAL x HOL v AUS x VIDEO INTERVIEW

Two semi finals and two intense games that, well could go either way.  Those in who normally wear Orange were in white tonight. The Kookaburras haven’t move off their gold uniform for the whole tournament, and they were looking a little used.

I digress…

Oh and Gryphon’s Grant Schubert won a motorbike!!!  Check the video below to see why.

The past few games between these two team head to head have finished with the Aussies comfortably winning each one. This time the Dutch looked ready to try and break this trend but the past must have been playing on the player’s minds.

Game plan for Holland was to sit a lot of players back inside their circle and release one to two players on the break. This was so extreme that the Dutch multiple times launched the ball with an over-head into the Aussie circle making the keeper come up. Much the same tactic that saw Gryphon’s Fergus Kavanagh score that amazing goal in the Champions Trophy final in Melbourne.

This tactic lead Australia to have 13 chances on goal in the first half alone.

Australia was eventually going win a Corner or a goal, and in the 27th minute the Aussies won a Corner and converted first time to take the lead.

Both teams were fantastic in defence, very rarely conceding a free hit in their 25 let alone a corner.

First half ended with Australia on top with all levels of the game including the score 1 – 0.

Into the second half the Dutch kept the same game plan but took it to an extreme. It forced the Aussies into the deep the corners of the circle, not having straight chances.  That said they did have quite a few clean strikes.  Man of the Match Grant Schubert was fantastic with his run, diving and leading.  I highly rate diving as a photographer…

Kavanagh, Brown and Begbie were heavily worked on the run with their tackles. Begbie was a serious standout with his tackles saving more chances to the goals at full tilt than you could keep track of.

Eventually the Aussie pressure had to break the wall and in the 55th a brilliant field goal was scored putting the men in Gold up 2 to 1.

The game looked a little like it was over. Not so true.  The Dutch kept to their game plan and won a Corner which was dealt with, but on a video referral it was changed to a Stroke which was cleanly taken in the 58th minute.

12 minutes of hockey at it’s must tense then followed. Dutch were full of run trying to create chances. Australia making tackles in their 25 over and over then releasing their midfielders Hammond an Co. to then push the ball again into a dangerous position.  It was back and forth attacking hockey at it’s best and intense.

Luckily the game ended as I would say the players and the crowd would eventually succumb to a medical condition.

Australia win 2 goals to 1 and now face Germany in the Gold Medal final… again!

Holland play England and would fancy themselves.

I was able to grab Grant Schubert and Rob Hammond after the game for a surprise interview on level:

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

WC10 x DAY7 x AUS v SPN

In the game that would more than likely decided the semi-finalist, Australia and Spain both had a lot to play for. It was exceptionally apparent as both teams played an intense but at times nervous game.

The first half wasn’t pretty with  both teams holding a good share of the possession but the Australian defence headed by Graeme Begbie, Kiel Brown and Fergus Kavanagh was holding very strong keeping the penalty corners down to a minimum. Not none, but low-ish.

At the other end the Spanish kept the more mobile looking attack, with Grant Schubert looking more dangerous than before in this tournament, from the Aussies under control, but with the first Kookaburra short corner, they converted to make the only score of the half.

The second started the same as the first left off, back and forward and so on.

With around 15 minutes to go, the Aussies started to really get into the game holding, running and passing with more direction and purpose through players like Rob Hammond who worked exceptionally hard all game. They looked the most dangerous of the two teams and scored from a sweet set of passing moves to go 2 to 0 up.

The Spanish were able to win a few more short corners but the defensive bank was able to keep the clean sheet.

Australia 2 – Spain 1

Australia now are into the finals with their massive goal difference keeping them afloat with one more game to play against Pakistan.

With the top two teams pretty much locked in this pool now, Spain will need a miracle to progress after their last game against England.

Photos: Daniel Carson | DCIMAGES.ORG

A PROMISE I’D LIKE TO KEEP

Well, almost all the preparation is done. We’ve touched down here in India, checked in to the Hotel and also had a couple runs on the pitch. The excitement is really starting to build as per norm when you finally arrive at these tournaments and see the mass of hype at the field. Things also seem to be magnified ten fold here in India. Major Dhyan Chand stadium is amazing and I can’t wait to step out for the first game against England. Hopefully with 16,000 Indian hockey lovers going crazy and with a couple of Aussies in between.

I remember making a promise to our old assistant coach Colin Batch after the 3rd-4th play-off final in Beijing. We will win the WC in 2010. Most of you know I couldn’t take part in that match and also the 2006 WC due to a knee injury. My memories of not being able to play those games/finals or also take part in the medal ceremony we’re some of my worst and tuff to swallow. I never like the feeling of not being able to contribute to the cause, especially when they are big tournaments, finals or when things aren’t going to plan.

So as things unfold over the next 3 weeks, I’m sure it won’t all go smoothly or to plan. I will however be doing everything in my power to help the boys win on the last day.

Later,

Shuby

PHOTOS: DANIEL CARSON | DC IMAGES

A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A HOLIDAY x SHUBY

Hello all,

Well some people would say it’s about time I had a Gryphon stick in my hand. And what an exciting time it is. With the world Cup just around the corner, CT and Commonwealth Games to follow later in the year, I look forward to building a great partnership with Gryphon.

I’ve been involved with the Kookaburras for 6 years now and it only seemed like yesterday that I was making my debut against Germany as a 23 year old. Now 29 and being more and more tagged as a veteran of the team I hope the body can hold on for a few more years yet. I’m currently on 166 games and have scored 91 goals in a career full of many ups and downs. I’m happy to say I’ve managed to make it to 2 Olypmics, Athens 2004(Gold) and Beijing 2008(Bronze). A Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2006(Gold) and 6 Champions Trophies(3 Gold,2 Silver).  I’m particularly looking forward to hopefully making the World Cup team this year as I hurt my knee back in 2006 just a week out from the first game.

Cheers and we’ll talk after selections!

Shuby

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