Experienced coach calls for titles focus | Ipswich Sport | Local Sports in Ipswich

DODGING Brisbane's powerful side early could be just what Ipswich's top men's team needs to make the Premier League semi-finals in Townsville this weekend.

However, don't expect experienced new coach Alan Sinclair to dwell on that in such a cut-throat competition.

Sinclair wants his team on the attack from Saturday's first game against Rockhampton before Ipswich meets Sunshine Coast that night and Brisbane (2) on Sunday.

“We did get the better draw, there's no doubt about that,” said Sinclair, who is coaching the Ipswich men for the first time.

“But that doesn't mean we're certainties to get into any semis or anything like that.

“It probably means we have got to concentrate a bit more.

“If we let it slip, we could easily find ourselves being in a relegation game, instead of a semi-final.”

The annual Premier League championships feature the top city teams from around the state.

However, the side that finishes eighth is relegated to the open championships the following year.

Under coach Danny Bates, Ipswich last year finished a pleasing third.

This year, Sinclair has picked an in-form local side without some of the dual-registered stars of previous years.

“If we can get into the semi-finals, I'll be happy,” Sinclair said, preparing to leave for Townsville tomorrow.

“By old standards, we are understrength in what we have been.”

However, being a successful coach in Australia and overseas, Sinclair will use Ipswich's attacking firepower to cover for the loss of specialist defender Lachlan Brown.

“My expectation is we will score lots of goals because of the way we play,” he said.

“How many goals we get against us will depend on how well they follow the (marking) rules that I set.

“If we get around that, I see us doing okay.”

Sinclair was looking for strong defensive campaigns from players like Mark Pocock, Brenton Sippel, Dean Boughen and Dave Llewelyn.

That will allow Ipswich's danger men like captain Tobias Figura, Australian Country player Jaden Ekert, Greg Walker, Dean Jeffrey, Daniel Mantell and Steve Bayliss to take aim at goals.

Sinclair has also been working with Ipswich men's open coach Wayne Follett, who is taking a second city combination to Townsville.

“He's got a good side and knows what they want,” Sinclair said, eager to see how a number of Ipswich's next generation of players perform.

Ipswich's open team suffered a setback with experienced campaigner Brent Nicholls withdrawing due to a hamstring injury.