By Jonty Ralphsmith
Casey Cannons are hopeful of having several players make the Vic League 1 (VL1) Team of the Year at the Hockey Victoria presentation on Friday night.
Female players Mikayla McDonald and Emma Harris have both put forward terrific seasons in attack, in the Cannons first season in VL1.
Casey scored 46 goals for the season, the second highest in the competition, and weren’t held goalless in a match.
Harris played as right striker and led the Cannons’ scoring with 12 goals, while McDonald snared nine as left striker.
Harris is a seasoned player who has experience in Premier League with Mentone, imparting that on her teammates well this season, with her communication in-game and at training a key factor behind the 13 wins.
She was also the most potent looking player at set plays, with McDonald pushing out the penalty corners.
McDonald is a star on the rise from Gippsland whose appetite to learn, work rate and stick skills have seen her take great strides with her hockey in her second season at the club.
The club is also hopeful Jim Galanos will coach the team of the year.
He steered the women to a third-placed finish in 2023 and achieved the exceptionally rare feat of seeing a team promoted the previous season to a finals win.
“He has been sensational for us,” club president Steve Noney said.
“Our success has had a lot to do with our coaches.
“He’s put great structures in place and has brought the team together, building us up over a couple of years to play really competitive hockey.
“He’s well-respected around the competition.”
Galanos, who is coaching Victoria’s women’s masters in a tournament in Perth this week, also guided the Cannons to the VL2 premiership last year.
Meanwhile, men’s striker Matthew Light is firmly in the frame to make the men’s honorary side.
He was starved of opportunity with the Cannons struggling this season, with just one win from 18 games, but still scored a team-high six goals and led the team through adversity.
