Warlock confident Lahanis can do better this year

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The National, Thursday 11th April, 2013

 By ZACHERY PER

BINTANGOR Goroka Lahanis new coach Peter Warlock is not fazed by the exodus of senior players to the Lae Snax Tigers and others falling ill.

Warlock is confident the former back-to-back premiership winning club will do well against the Gulf Isapeas in the opening round of the 2013 Digicel Cup. 

Kumuls centre Thompson Teteh, halfback Walter Hasu and forward Elvis Dick have left the Lahanis and are with the Tigers.

Experienced campaigners like Sam Tobokina, Richard Hoffman and former Kumuls Nicko Ubile and Garnet Auwo are down with the flu. 

Warlock expressed confidence his new skipper and utility player Joseph Peter and his assistant and Kumul prop Gonzella Urakusie would lead the Lahanis to prevail over the unpredictable Isapeas.

Warlock said the two trial games the Lahanis had against the Mt Ha­gen Eagles and Lae Snax Tigers provided him the knowledge he had to work on defence.

“Defence was our let down in our two trial games (losing to Eagles and winning over Tigers), that is why I have been working hard with the players to improve that,” he said. 

“I expect every player to give his best in defence because if we defend well, we can score from our attack.” 

Last year the Lahanis bowed out in the major semi-final and are looking at winning this year.

Warlock said the Lahanis had their own game plan and it was up to the players to execute that.

He said the match against the Isapeas would be physically and mentally tough as two former Lahanis were now at the helm of the crocodiles. 

Former Kumuls and Lahanis stalwarts Mark Mom and Nigel Hukula are expected to use their inside knowledge of the Lahanis.

 “Definitely it’s going to be a tough opening round against them (Isapeas) because Hukula and Mom are part of our style of footy,” Warlock said.

He said the Lahanis aimed to win their three opening home games and secure at least few more away wins to lay a good foundation for a finals berth.

Warlock named his Sunday team but has three players on standby.