Hockeyroos star Anna Flanagan says the Canberra Strikers will use this year's early exit from the Australian Hockey League as motivation to return to the finals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Both the Strikers and their male counterparts, the Canberra Lakers, failed to qualify for the top four after both suffered their second loss of the tournament on Tuesday.
The Strikers went down narrowly to Victoria 1-0 in Brisbane, while the Lakers couldn't get anything going in a 3-1 defeat against Tasmania in Adelaide.
Flanagan said there was enough talent in the Strikers' squad that they had confidence of going further than what they did after both Canberra teams made the finals a year ago.
"We said if we came away with anything but the finals that we'd be disappointed, because we feel we've got the team to be in the top four," Flanagan said.
"It's really our lack of finishing. We had chances but weren't able to put them away.
"We're a young side, but I think we have enough experience to be better than that."
It was always going to be tough for the Strikers to make the finals after they lost their opening game to Queensland 4-2 last Saturday.
The Lakers were in a similar boat, a 4-3 loss to the Scorchers leaving them chasing their tails in the final two games.
Lakers captain Glenn Turner said the goal for the remaining three classification games would be to try and take something positive out of the tournament looking ahead to next year.
"We've got three games to go and we've got to make the best of a bad situation," Turner said.
"We've got to regroup a little and get back to the game we know we can play.
"We have a point to prove and finish strongly in the tournament, and it shows character if we can fight again."
Flanagan will return to Holland to finish off the club season ahead of a likely appearance at the Champions Trophy at the end of the year for the Hockeyroos.
She arrived back in Australia only last Thursday after having a 30-hour flight before meeting her Strikers teammates.
"I had to learn a few new names, which is strange, while trying to get over jet lag quickly," Flanagan said.
"There are a number of challenges coming into this competition, but coming back to play for Canberra with girls I've played with since I was nine has been really special.
"I really appreciate every moment I get to spend with this team."
AUSTRALIAN HOCKEY LEAGUE
Tuesday: Tasmania 3 bt Canberra Lakers 2 in Adelaide; Victoria 1 bt Canberra Strikers 0 in Brisbane.
