Assistant Coach Dion Dunwoodie predicts the higher pressure and accountability will be good for the pair “there is less pressure and immediate expectation when you are a younger guy, but now they will have teammates looking up to them for guidance and we know they can step up to the plate and then use this confidence to build their AIHL game in the latter part of the season”.

Macgregor is starting to feed off his fellow defensemen Andrew White and Anthony Wilson and showing signs of maturity on the blue line as Cliff looks right at home netting a goal already this season, making plays and hits when needed.

Currently Cliff has played 36 career AIHL games and put up 2 goals and 3 assists, whilst Macgregor who has also scored this season sits at a goal and an assist in his 35 AIHL games to date as a defenseman.

Both pups were members of the Australian under 18 side who won gold at the Division 3 World Championships at the beginning of the year. The pair came back from the trip with a bit more edge and tenacity in their game. “If these two work their bag off, they have the potential to become very good players in the AIHL as they mature” finishes off Dunwoodie.

The team wishes Shannon and Billy along with the rest of NSW state side all the best for this weekend and hope they bring back the gold.