Silver medal at national championships to drive WA men’s group for gold according to coach Lawrie Tylor

WA men’s coach Lawrie Tylor says his side should be proud of their silver medal performance at the Hockey Australia Country Challenge and use it as motivation to chase that elusive gold. The WA side suffered a 5-0 defeat at the hands of a powerhouse Queensland side in the gold medal match on Saturday in Albany. However reaching the decider came after WA turned their campaign around after a loss and a draw in their first two qualifying games. Tylor said he was extremely proud of his squad’s efforts over the gruelling week of hockey. “The guys improved each game and our squad came together,” Tylor said. “We fell away a little bit (in the final), disappointed but so proud as well. “Credit goes to Queensland, they were awesome, slick and what a great game to come out and play some of their best hockey of the tournament in the first half. “Our shortcomings, we were carrying a few injuries and the guys were digging deep for the last couple of days. “Once we understand and look at the silver medal, we should be super proud. “Anytime you medal you’ve achieved in some form to have got here. Silver makes you want (gold) even more and we know we’ve got work to do.” WA have not won the men’s title in more than a decade but Tylor believes the next couple of years are exciting. “Super proud of my boys,” he said. “The professional attitude and the steps we made to be a credit to WA hockey, not just country hockey, and be proud to wear the WA shirt. “The buy-in from the players was the highlight for me.” Lower Great Southern stars Darren Parkes and Brodie Sarre were outstanding across the tournament and Tylor also made mention of striker Brayden Dalton. “Darren did a calf early in a warm-up game in Mt Barker but he soldiered on,” Tylor said. “Brodie was outstanding from day one to end, his experience and what he brought to the whole team in terms of respect, when he spoke everyone listened, that leadership quality was outstanding. “Brayden Dalton to come back from missing the first two games due to suspension and to come home as second-highest goal scorer, he responded well. “Jase (Jason Vuletich) was outstanding for a 39-year-old goalkeeper who was on one leg because he has a serious knee injury.” Tylor said the group was driven to now turn silver into gold. “We’ve had some great people involved, it’s been a pleasure to be involved and I’m looking forward to next year already,” Tylor said. “That professionalism and attitude of doing it together stood out and we can really build on this.”