Brisbane Blaze Hockey One grand final hero Hannah Astbury reveals the secret to stunning victory

Brisbane Blaze Hockey One grand final hero Hannah Astbury has revealed the secret to the squad turning around last season’s heart breaking championship loss and winning the thrilling 2019 decider.

Brisbane Blaze Hockey One grand final hero Hannah Astbury has praised a “selfless approach’’ from the squad which helped pave the way for a historic victory in the inaugural Hockey One tournament last weekend.

The Cannon Hill resident from the powerful University of Queensland Club stood tall and delivered when it counted most in the decider against Melbourne.

Britt Wilkinson of the Brisbane Blaze is congratulated by her teammates after scoring a goal during the Women's Hockey One Grand Fina. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour)

In the dying stages, with the scores locked at 1-all, Astbury produced a save that sent the final into a shootout decider.

Astbury then produced additional saves in the sudden death shootout to propel Blaze to victory.

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Last season under the Queensland Scorchers banner, Blaze lost its grand final which prompted a rethink from the Nikki Taylor-coached squad as to how to regain supremacy.

Brisbane Blaze goalkeeper and Townsville hockey product Hannah Astbury.

“We reflected on last year and when we spoke about wanting to win the last Australian Hockey League.

“And moving into this year, our goal moved to winning the first Hockey One.’’

HIGH PRAISE FOR COACH NIKKI TAYLOR

She said Taylor spoke about standards and behaviour she expected and the side was able to live up to those expectations.

“You could tell everyone was out there for each other, playing for each other.

“We had a selfless approach to this year.’’

Blaze goalkeeper Hannah Astbury warming up. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Despite her obvious grand final day heroics, Astbury deflected praise.

“I did not think that the game rested on my shoulders,’’ she said.

“The girls put in a really good effort and my job was made easier because of them.’’

But she did believe she had a more consistent tournament compared to 2018.

“I am still pretty young and learning, and there is certainly a lot more to learn,’’ she said.

Hannah Astbury is a 14-year-old goalkeeper prior to representing the Queensland schoolgirls.

Astbury, originally from Townsville, said it was a blessing in disguise that Blaze started its campaign without its Hockeyroos, enabling young players like Easts rookie pair Ruby Harris and Georgia Hillas to be blooded, while Norths veteran Aleisha Neumann also had a chance to represent.

Harris, in particular, was an eye-catching performer with three goals in three matches.

“Now we have some girls with some more experience, it paves the way for the Blaze in the future,’’ Astbury said.