Former Hockeyroo and Olympian Kathryn Slattery back on her home turf in Albany for the first time in close to a decade

Former Hockeyroo and South Stirling local Kathryn Slattery returned to her home turf for the first time in close to a decade, playing her first senior game for Manypeaks on Saturday. In round two of the Lower Great Southern Hockey Association women’s A-grade season, Slattery netted Peaks two goals, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a 3-2 defeat at the hands of North Albany. Slattery retired from international hockey in late 2018 after 91 caps for Australia and 37 goals. The 26-year-old took a large part of the warm-up and addressed the players before and after the game as well as at the quarter breaks. She played at centre-half and used every opportunity to bring her younger teammates into the game. “It’s really good to be back, I’m still versing some of the people I was playing over 10 years ago but it’s just great to come back and be a part of the community again,” Slattery said post-game. “I’m looking at trying to bring some different ideas and different experience back into the team. “The Manypeaks group is quite young so I’m just trying to offer a bit more structure and a few skill-based things and try to promote hockey in the community because it’s a great sport and to keep the association going. “It’s good to get two goals but I’m feeling a bit sore as I haven’t had much game experience for a while.” Redbacks full-back Nicole Spinks converted their first penalty corner six minutes into the game before youngster Tallulah Gouldthorp made her way into the circle off a penalty corner to net their second as they led 2-0 at quarter-time. Slattery muscled her way into the circle midway through the second term to earn a penalty corner, which she powerfully converted moments later. Redbacks’ defenders were under pressure but managed to save a number of a strong opportunities before Slattery slammed home her second goal from a penalty corner on the half-time siren to level the scores. Peaks goalie Marisa Edwards stopped a terrific penalty corner attempt before Beck Gallimore gathered the loose ball and found the back of the net to edge Redbacks ahead. Redbacks held firm in the final term to record victory and were well led by Kelly Burlikowski, Gallimore, Michelle Ericsson and Gouldthorp. For Peaks, Emma Pyle was solid all afternoon along with Leah Field, Slattery and Javana Hounsfield. Work commitments will restrict Slattery, who last played senior hockey in the LGSHA for Tigers, to only a few regular games this season. Meanwhile Vikings got their first win on the board after recording a 3-1 win over Mt Barker in the other women’s game on Sunday. In the men’s A-grade competition North Albany and Spencer Park remained undefeated after impressive wins in round two. North Albany ran out 3-1 winners over Manypeaks on Saturday and on Sunday in a high-scoring affair Spencer Park recorded a 5-3 win over Mt Barker.