Workers Gol Gol downplay home advantage

WORKERS Gol Gol captain Adam Thomson believes Irymple will benefit as much as his side from playing at Alcheringa Oval this weekend in their cut-throat semi-final.

Workers won the right to host the semi-final after drawing with Irymple last Saturday in the final home-and-away match of the season, also at Alcheringa Oval.

Thomson said, while he acknowledges it is certainly an advantage to be hosting such a big game on their home ground, he also believes it will be the perfect preparation for both sides for this year’s grand final with it also being played at Alcheringa.

“We are certainly happy we did enough last week to draw the game and make sure we had a home final, but I think with the grand final also being played here it does provide a bit of an advantage to whoever gets through,” Thomson said.

“I’m sure they would prefer to be hosting the game, but at the same time they would be thinking it’s great to know they will be playing here (Alcheringa) again next Saturday if they win.

“Everyone likes to play on their home deck – it does make you feel more comfortable, but wherever it’s played, you still need to bowl well and bat well – that’s what we will be trying do.”

One player Thomson is hoping can continue his outstanding form is upper-order batsman Wade Hanock who has scored more than 700 runs this season. Thomson said it was a pleasure to watch him bat.

“He (Hancock) just times the ball so much better than the rest of us – it just comes off so much sweeter,” Thomson said.

“Wade’s missed a fair few games and he has still made something like 715 runs for the season at an average of 59.

“It shows how good he is and what an important player he is to our side.”