GERWYN Price has had what you might call a tempestuous relationship with darts crowds around the world, but the World No.1 is hoping he gets some love from home crowds on his first visit to Australia.
The man they call The Iceman has been known to get hot under the collar when on the oche and his antics are not to the fans’ liking.
Price, 37, was set to play in his first World Series Down Under in Townsville and Wollongong in 2019 before the Covid-19 outbreak cancelled the tour.
The Welshman is happy to finally get his chance to play in front of his Australian fans and is looking forward to some Aussie chatter, as long as no boundaries are crossed.
Yeah, I don’t mind a bit of banter at certain stages of the game, Price said.
I just hope they are kind to me like they have been over the last couple of months over here (in Europe).
Things have started to change, especially in Europe and the World Matchplay that’s just passed.
The crowd was 100% behind me and obviously certainly helped me get to the final and I played a lot better.
Hopefully they don’t step over the line.
Price will be joined by seven other Professional Darts Corporation stars, including Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith, Jonny Clayton, and history maker Fallon Sherrock for the World Series events in Townsville, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, and Wollongong a week later.
Australias World Cup-winning duo, Simon Whitlock and Damon Heta will represent the home country on the other side of the draw.
Price and Clayton were beaten by the Aussies in the final and he knows they and the other home qualifiers will provide a test, whoever he is drawn to play against.
In the first round I think no matter who we play, we’re probably going to be playing someone Australian, he said.
I’m going to be up against the with the crowd. But hopefully, I will get through the tough first round.
It’s not about getting my own back but about getting a win.
Price has been critical of the format of the PDCs Premier League this year which featured mini competitions each night with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals.
He is bringing his wife and family Down Under and while his priorities are a World Series win, he is hoping for some downtime.
I’m there to do a job and there to work, Price said.
To know when I do have a day or two off I get time to spend and do things with the family will be great.
When you have the Premier League for 16-17 weeks, you rarely get an opportunity to do that.
It will be nice to have them away with me. It certainly helps when you’ve got downtime and you’ve got your family around you and people to support you.
Price has been the king of the nine-dart finishes this season, hitting his fourth (a PDC record) in the World Matchplay against Dutchman Danny Noppert.
He is hoping he can produce some more perfect darts in Townsville and Wollongong to give the Aussie fans something to cheer.
There’s no reason why not, he said.
My form is definitely back in a place where I can reel off these good legs and nine-darters, so there will be plenty of opportunity for at least one or two.
BY PHIL DILLON
About Author
