Next gen keepers emerge & star reviving career: Hockey One round 4

The next generation of elite goalkeepers has emerged while a goal controversy has led to more calls for a review system to be introduced into Hockey One. Discover the biggest news from round 4 of the Hockey One series.

The next generation of elite goalkeepers has emerged while a goal controversy has led to more calls for a review system to be introduced into Hockey One.

The halfway mark of the season has arrived and round 4 of the series has put some defending champions under pressure while underdogs are positioned for a charge at finals.

Discover the biggest news from the series here.

TASMANIA

Tasmania has produced the next generation of male and female goalkeeping stars in Magnus McCausland and Evelyn Dalton.

The two shot-stoppers have stamped their claims as senior Australian representatives of the future after adding to already burgeoning resumes with matchwinning performances for the Tigers in round 4 of the Hockey One series.

McCausland kept a clean sheet in Tassie’s 0-0 draw with the Brisbane Blaze before stopping three goals to lead the Tigers to a 3-1 win in the shootout.

Tassie goalkeeper Magnus McCausland is congratulated after his penalty shootout heroics. Picture: Liam Boric/Liberty Hockey One League

Tigers men’s coach Ben Read said McCausland, who has just returned from representing Australia’s under-21s team at the Johor Cup in Malaysia, was on the path to making the country’s development squad.

“He was keeper of the tournament in Johor and is a phenomenal keeper,” Read said.

“He is only early in his Tigers career but he is already making his mark in every game he plays. Hopefully he can put himself in contention for a development squad spot from this tournament.”

Tassie Tigers men's Hockey One goalkeeper Magnus McCausland. Picture: Supplied.

Dalton matched his feats by saving the game for Tassie in the final two minutes.

Tassie led 2-0 when Blaze athlete Rosie Malone scored with 90 seconds remaining at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre on Saturday before saving the one-on-one conversion attempt that would had levelled the scores.

“Evie lives in Perth now after making the Australian development team a year ago to chase her dream of taking her keeping to the next level,” Tigers women’s coach Susan Brooks said.

“She has worked really hard and her shootout saves have been her strength. She has a heap of potential and it’s exciting to see what she can do.”

Tassie Tigers women's Hockey One goalkeeper Evelyn Dalton. Picture: Supplied.

Northern Tasmania’s Lucy Cooper also shined, scoring and converting to put Tassie ahead.

Tassie’s win over the defending women’s champions added to an already impressive season for the Tigers who failed to record a point in 2023.

The side currently sits in the top four and is well on the path to a finals appearance.

BRISBANE

A further push to introduce a goal review system into Hockey One has been made following a decision to disallow a Brisbane goal that would have put the Blaze in the box seat to claim a maiden win of the 2024 season.

The Blaze scored through Scott Boyd in the dying stages of Saturday’s round 4 game against the Tassie Tigers at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre before a 0-0 scoreline at the end of regular time led to a shootout won 3-1 by the hosts.

The officials blew the whistle to signal a goal before reversing their decision, deeming Blaze player Daykin Stanger hit a dangerous ball in the lead up to the goal.

“I think it was a clear cut goal,” Brisbane coach Darren Fowler said.

“They changed their mind. I still haven’t been told what the process was. It was messy.

“I definitely would have (used a review to challenge it).

Brisbane Blaze Hockey One player Rosie Malone (left). Picture: Supplied.

“But it also wasn’t the reason we lost. It was a crucial time but we had opportunities to seal the deal and unfortunately we didn’t. We have got to be better in the attacking circle.”

Brisbane are the defending champions but have just two points to their name this season.

Fifteen points is considered enough to challenge for finals and with three games remaining and five points available for a win, the Blaze have to have a perfect run home.

Brisbane’s women’s team – also the defending champions – suffered its first loss of the season, going down 2-1 to Tassie after Rosie Malone fell agonisingly short of levelling scores in the final minutes.

Malone scored with 90 seconds remaining but had her conversation attempt saved.

NSW PRIDE

NSW Pride women’s coach believes Abby Wilson has reached a new level after being overlooked for the Paris Olympics and can push her way back into the Australian Hockeyroos team for next year’s Pro League.

Wilson scored five goals in the Pride’s 6-1 round 4 win over Hockey Club Melbourne at Victoria’s State Netball and Hockey Centre on Friday.

She was on the end of some clinical deliveries from teammates while showing incredible individual brilliance at the same time in the dominant display.

“She has been in outstanding form and has been training extremely well,” Barker said.

Barker revealed Wilson had worked to improve her game after missing out on selection in the Australian Olympic team for Paris and was on track to break back into international hockey.

“She was extremely disappointed (to miss the Olympics),” Barker said.

NSW Pride women's Hockey One player Abby Wilson (middle). Picture: Supplied.

“She put it behind her and has been moving forward. Australia play in the Pro League in February and if she continues like she is then she can break back in. We spoke pre-tournament about her role in the team.

“We have focused on making her a more versatile player, a distributor and a goal-shooter.”

NSW Pride men’s Hockey One coach Roel Van Maasteugt says the club’s approach to games won’t change as their 2024 season hangs in the balance going into the back end of the series.

NSW lost 4-2 to Hockey Club Melbourne on Friday

The Pride now have to win at least two of its last three games to be in contention for a top four spot and secure a finals berth.

“I’ve always said we should be one of the better teams in the competition,” Van Maasteugt said.

“(The loss) doesn’t change our approach. It was a tough loss and came off the bye weekend so we were pretty fit.

“I think we played OK. We created enough opportunities and most of the stats were too our advantage but you don’t win a game on stats. The most important one is the scoreline.

“We had 14 penalty corners with just two results from those.”

Goals to Cooper Burns and Jonathan Bretherton in the first half gave Melbourne a 2-0 advantage.

A goal from Nathanael Stewart just before the main break closed the margin and another from Daine Richards early in the last quarter levelled scores before a goal and conversion from Ben White sealed the win for Melbourne.

ADELAIDE

Eva Drummond doesn’t like to play against best friend and fellow Dutch international Margot Van Geffen but walking away with a 5-0 makes it a touch easier.

Drummond is part of the Perth Thunderstix team that beat Van Geffen’s Adelaide Fire on Sunday at the Perth Hockey Stadium and keep its undefeated record alive four rounds into the Hockey One series.

“It was fun. I don’t like to play against (Van Geffen) though. I’d rather play with her,” Drummond said.

“I have played against her for a couple of years. We played well. It was a tough game to play. “It was quite hot and everyone struggled with that. We started well and wanted more goals.”

Adelaide will take solace from knowing it kept the raging favourites scoreless in the second half, taking the game to the Thunderstix in a move that rivals will be sure to take note of.

In the men’s game Adelaide held a 2-0 advantage at halftime courtesy of Snowden before Perth fought back to win 3-2, with Tom Wickham scoring twice before Brodee Foster won the game.

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