Tadpoles might be a more apt description of the Tamworth side that will contest this weekend's State Open Men's Hockey Championships.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It will be a young and very different looking Frogs outfit that will take the pitch at Moorebank.
"We've lost a lot," coach Andrew Farmilo said.
"Sam Clifton, Isaac and Calvin (Farmilo) and Jimmy Riddell are the only one's from last year."
Even more tellingly, of the remainder of the side, only Isaac Woodley has played for the 1s side before.
Farmilo said they knew they were going to lose some of their more experienced heads over the coming years. He just wasn't anticipating such a big hit at once.
There have been a few contributing factors.
"Guys have other commitments and others are away with hockey," he said.
Ehren Hazell flew out on Tuesday with the Australian under-21s side while Matt Willis and Sam Liles have been plying their trade in the Dutch Division 2 league.
"You've got to try and take the positives out of everything," Farmilo said.
"It's going to be interesting to see how the young guys step up."
He mentioned the likes of Nick O'Connor, Lachie Butler and Luke Maher.
"It will be good having Sam, Jimmy and Isaac there to direct them (young guys) around the paddock," he said.
This week named in the NSW over-50s 1s side, Farmilo highlighted the speed and hardness of the games as the biggest step up.
"They have to get their heads around how quickly things can change," he said.
"They won't have time to contemplate anything."
The Frogs finished fifth last year but Farmilo's expectations are a bit more measured this year.
"We'll just be hoping to play well," he said.
They have been drawn in Pool A alongside North West Sydney (1), Newcastle (1), Sydney East and Lithgow and open their campaign against Sydney East at 8am on Saturday.
