Cairns Hockey: Minute of madness delivers Brothers U18s premiership

A pair of blistering strikes in the space of a minute helped Brothers secure Cairns Hockey’s U18 men’s premiership with a 2-1 win over Saints.

Brothers Fury won the Cairns Hockey Association U18 Men's Grand Final against the Cairns Saints. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

A pair of blistering strikes in the space of a minute helped Brothers secure Cairns Hockey’s U18 men’s premiership with a 2-1 win over Saints.

Both sides sought to build pressure for the opening 20 minutes, but it would be Saints who made the breakthrough.

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Maxwell Williams was the man on the spot, sending the ball into the goal for the 1-0 advantage after 22 minutes.

Brothers kept pushing throughout the second half but Saints’ defence had all the answers – until one crazy minute turned the decider.

Brothers' Harry Pozzi scores the winning goal in the Cairns Hockey Association U18 Men's Grand Final between Brothers and Saints. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Between the 54th and 55th minutes, Brayden Naess and Harry Pozzi scored for Brothers, handing them a 2-1 lead and control of the dying stages.

Saints pulled their goalie to give themselves an extra attacking player late, but Brothers refused to let the lead slip.

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Pozzi, who scored the match-winner in the 55th minute, said was relieved after the match.

“I was pretty stressed for most of that game,” he said.

“It’s pretty easy to get a bit flustered when you’re down but we kept our heads cool.

Brothers' Brayden Naess takes a shot at goal in the Cairns Hockey Association U18 Men's Grand Final between Brothers and Saints. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

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Saints captain Aden Conlan and Brothers captain Declan O'Brien fight for possession in the Cairns Hockey Association U18 Men's Grand Final between Brothers and Saints. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

“We were on the verge of scoring but we just couldn’t slot one in until right at the end.

“When we got that first one in, it motivated as to get that second one.

“It all happened pretty quick and I was just thinking don’t stuff it up, calmed myself down and took the shot.”

Captain Declan O’Brien was thrilled with his side’s comeback win.

“We spoke at half time just about how we should play properly – start leading a bit more, calling a bit more and getting around the boys and keeping the positivity up,” O’Brien said.

“We were playing a little bit rough but I’m just proud of the boys and how they pulled through.”

Originally published as Cairns Hockey: Minute of madness delivers Brothers U18s premiership