Gosford’s favourite son, Liam Alexander, has returned from Europe just in time to qualify for the Hunter Coast Men’s Premier Hockey League finals.
The Magpies junior, who had been playing in the Netherlands, is arguably the league’s most valuable player and will be a massive addition to an already accomplished Gosford team.
To qualify for the finals a player must feature in seven of the last 10 matches or more than 50 per cent of total games for the season.
Alexander’s return is just in time because Gosford have seven matches left.
With Alexander back, Gosford will be overwhelming favourites for the Hunter Coast title, even though they are yet to defeat Norths this season.
His first assignment is the match of the round against Wests from midday Sunday at Central Coast Hockey Park.
Alexander is the only inclusion for Gosford. The Rosellas have as many as nine players unavailable because of the holidays.
In Newcastle, Norths take on The Entrance without coach Dave Willott and his son Ky, who are in South Africa on the Australian Schoolboys tour.
The Blues will also be without tireless midfielder Connor Eyers but will feature recruit Matt Wark, who has recovered from injury in time for finals qualification.
Maitland host winless University in the other match. The Rams are five points behind fourth-placed Wests.
In the women’s premier league Saturday, Tigers take on Oxfords (3pm) and Uni meet Souths (12.30pm) at Newcastle. On the Central Coast, Avoca play Gosford (1pm) and Regals clash with Erina (3pm).
