Waratah Hockey Club complete DHL grand final ‘Cinderella’ story
Eight teams fought for DHL grand final glory at the weekend with one club accomplishing the unthinkable. Read how each of the big games played out.
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With eight teams from six clubs putting on a show across four games, the weekend’s 2023 Darwin Hockey League A/B-grade grand finals had it all.
From upsets to thrashings, new champions and a underdog story for the ages, find out how each game unfolded below.
A-GRADE MEN
Rising from the ashes and completing a season for the ages, Waratah men’s A-grade hockey side has become the most unlikely of victors, claiming the Darwin Hockey League 2023 premiership.
From not fielding a side last season to ascending to the top, the ‘Tahs upset premiership favourites and heavyweights Banks in a match that ended in a remarkable 6-4 scoreline.
Gaining the lead through club favourite Nathan Edwards while Banks’ captain Billy Fahy was serving a five minute penalty, the ‘Tahs took a 1-0 lead into the first break.
Another goal from the ‘Tahs and one from Banks saw the scoreline read 2-1 at the half.
In the third, Banks tied the game and Waratah defender and HockeyNT chief executive Jason Butcher was sent marching, receiving 10 in the bin for a penalty.
Then, in the final quarter of the season, all hell broke loose.
Waratah went hammer and tongs knowing that being a man down, they had everything to play for and nothing to lose.
Led by their talismanic coach Gavranich, wonder-kid Zach Rakkas and warhorse captain Ben Tilbrook (who was sporting a split earlobe for the entire second half) piled on four goals in the space of eight minutes.
The offensive onslaught proved too much for Banks but to their credit they didn’t go down without a fight, scoring two goals of their own.
“It’s been a Cinderella season for sure,” coach and grand final MVP Dane Gavranich said of the victory.
“The boys played a brilliant game.
“From having nothing (last season) to now being all the way at the very top, the feeling is just unmatched and is very special.”
Scoring a goal and setting up another, Gavranich and his side had to grit their teeth through the opening three quarters after relentless pressure from Banks.
The MVP said his side’s willingness to stay in the fight and trust in each other was the catalyst for their “Cinderella” victory.
“Just to see everyone down here supporting us really pushed us throughout the game,” he said.
“From the women’s sides on the fence to friends and families and even some of the other clubs supporting us, we fed off that and it helped us get through.
“We stuck it out and played through the tough periods and we got a great win as a result.”
A-GRADE WOMEN
In the women’s competition, Easts toppled perennial premiership powerhouse Pints in a 3-2 upset.
Having claimed the last three titles on the trot, Commerce came into the big game as favourites despite an up and down season, due to their finals prowess.
MVP Isobel Cowell was the difference-maker in the opening quarter, setting the tone and involving herself all around the park.
Her presence in the middle and her vision to counter on a whim led her side to victory.
Despite the valiant efforts of Commerce who clawed their way back with two goals and keeping Easts scoreless for the other three quarters, it was not to be.
“We won the first quarter, that’s it,” Easts’ captain Jessica Martin-Brown said.
“We were lucky because that took us through in the end.
“We definitely didn’t intend on scoring three in the first quarter and then not again for the rest of the game as we wanted to continue that momentum.”
Not entirely pleased with how the game panned out, the captain would’ve liked more goals for a bigger buffer but was nonetheless pleased her side did enough in the end.
“Fortunately for us we were able to shut them down enough so that we were able to hold them out until the end of the game,” she said.
“All the girls played brilliant but our goalie (Hayley Finning) played amazing all night.
“She definitely saved our butts out there a number of times and kept us in the game.
“It was a bloody great — but rollercoaster — of a season.”
B-GRADE MEN
Meanwhile, the Tigers put the Saints to the sword during their grand final clash in a 7-2 thumping for the B-grade men.
Not in a mood to mess around, the top of the ladder Tigers flew out of the gates, piling on four goals in the opening period without reply.
The Saints were outplayed in all facets of the first quarter from top to bottom.
Fortunately their never say die attitude meant the Saints were able to reign the game back in and fought tooth and nail to head into the halftime break still down 4-0.
The second half saw the Tigers continue their attacking onslaught through Charlie Beath and Travis Carroll, who combined for four goals, with the latter scoring a hatty.
The Saints threw themselves into every tackle and busted a gut until the final whistle but just couldn’t recover from the four goal deficit in the first.
In the end, the Tigers claimed a very convincing five goal victory and a much deserved premiership.
Adding to their silverware, the Tigers’ Charlie Beath picked up nods for both grand final MVP and best and fairest for the 2023 regular season.
“We definitely were fortunate to have had such a great first quarter,” the Tigers’ captain Stephen Versteegh said after the final.
“In the other three I think that we held on well but definitely weren’t as clinical as the first.
“The game was physical and fast so it was a good game.
“I have to give a lot of credit to our young players, they played absolutely amazingly and I don’t think they’ll be playing with us in B-grade anymore, they deserve to be up in A-grade.
“It was well deserved by all the boys and it’s a nice way to end the season.”
Reiterating what his captain had said, coach and player Damien Clarke was also elated by the success of his side this season.
“I can’t be prouder of the boys,” Clarke said.
“I asked them to pile on the pressure early and that’s exactly what they did and that was what got us out to a nice lead.
“They all stuck to the game plan not just in attack but also played great in defence, shutting down Saints for most of the game.”
B-GRADE WOMEN
Setting the tone for their A-grade club mates, Waratah’s B-grade women’s side finished their season in style, claiming an emphatic 4-0 victory in this year’s grand final.
Up against a determined Banks outfit, the ‘Tahs never looked in doubt, getting out to an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter.
The ‘Tahs continued their dominance for the next two quarters scoring a goal in each while keeping Banks scoreless.
The fourth saw a far more competitive Banks outfit who troubled the ‘Tahs’ defence on numerous occasions but were ultimately unable to break through the wall of red and white. After the win, Waratah captain Caitlin Shepherd said she couldn’t be any more proud of her girls.
“I’m really proud of all these girls and what we’ve accomplished this season,” she said.
“We had a really dominant season and carried it through the finals so it’s good that we finally got the medal in the end.
The captain praised her side’s attention to detail and their ability to stick to the game plan citing both as the reason for their success.
“Everybody played their part,” she said.
“Everyone pulled out the right positions and everyone played the game as hard as we could.
“We got the win and that was ultimately our goal so congratulations to all the girls for the win, I think we all deserved it.”
PREVIEWS
The Banks men are making their first A-grade hockey grand final appearance in more than a decade, but need to get past a Waratah side full of stars to clinch the title.
It’s been a long road back for the Banks side, but in 2023 they’ve been the benchmark team losing just once all season, with 11 wins and four draws also to their name.
It came as no surprise that they surged straight into the grand final after seeing off East Darwin 1-0 courtesy of a Peter Pangquee goal in the semi-final.
Now only one more game and a Waratah side with local rising star Zach Rakkas stands in their way, and Banks know no matter how strong their season was it all comes down to the final dance.
“It hasn’t happened in a while for us, I think the last grand final was in 2006,” captain Ayden Parkin said.
“We’ve had a good session and the vibes are definitely there, and once we get out there we will be pumped and ready to go.
“Waratah have a strong midfield and strong players like Zach Rakkas there, but with our depth we will be looking to isolate those players and play good team hockey from there to tire them out.
“We just have to play smart hockey, work hard for each other and do the right thing and we can’t let ourselves get too nervous because of our inexperience in finals.”
Waratah are hunting a fairy-tale premiership of their own having not fielded an A-Grade side at all in 2022.
Player-coach Dane Gavranich said a win for the new look side “would be huge” and leave a lasting impact for years to come.
“The club is completely behind us and it seems like half the hockey community is also behind us which is fuelling us,” he said.
“We’ve created this culture in the team now where we just fight through games; we grind games out.”
Meanwhile, in the women’s comp it’s a face-off between reigning champions Commerce Pints and East Darwin, with both having a strong group of players.
Easts have been the leading side in 2023 winning nine from 16 with four losses and three draws giving them the minor premiership.
And a narrow 3-2 win against Commerce in the semi-final gave Easts direct entry into the grand final and a sure-fire confidence booster.
Among their standouts are leading goal scorer Corrina Murray, Isobel Cowell, Isabelle O’Conor and captain Jess Martin-Brown, who will all be backing up for the Territory Stingers a week later.
“Those three along with myself are also in the stingers squad playing in the festival of hockey next weekend which shows our strength,” Martin Brown said.
“Commerce’s biggest threat would be their speed especially in some of their younger team members coupled with the skill of their experienced players.”
Meanwhile, Pints have hit their straps at the right time of year as they target a four premiership in a row.
“We had a significant change in line-up this year as well as an entirely new coaching staff,” coach Damien Baronin said.
“We had a bit of an adjustment period and slow start the first half of the season but after the mid-season break we’ve been playing some very good hockey.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Waratah Men
Zach Rakkas – The Waratah junior has scored 12 goals in six matches and has been juggling his time between Darwin and the Perth Premier League. The 21-year-old’s name alone brings spectators to the field to see him weave his magic.
Aidan Abel – The 18-year-old has proven time and again he can be counted on to score when it matter. Broke the deadlock in the prelim final after the final whistle to send Tahs to the final.
Dane Gavranich – The player-coach has been the heartbeat of the Waratah side throughout 2023. Works incredibly hard in the midfield with the ability and willpower to change the tide in any match.
Banks Men
Billy Fahy – He’s been out with injury, but that just makes him hungrier. A good player on the ball, works hard and sets up the counter attack for Banks to surge off.
Matthew Wells – A defensive midfielder who connects attack with defence and does a great job relieving pressure. Controls the centre with a lot of overhead hits.
Sajandeep Singh – A player who never stops after stepping up from C-Grade in 2022. Works hard on the ball and scores some great goals in clutch moments. A real improver throughout the year.
East Darwin Women
Corrina Murray – The A grade top goal scorer and East Darwin’s most experienced player. One the side will depend on plenty throughout the final.
Isobel Cowell – An Easts newbie in 2023, but quickly proven her worth. A major addition and hugely impactful as a central play maker.
Isabelle O’Conor – Another Easts newbie for the year who has brought plenty of aggression and speed up front to the side.
Commerce Pints Women
Emmanuelle Clarke –A smart and nimble midfielder who is an excellent playmaker and equally capable of opening up the field and transitioning the ball through.
Olivia McGrane – A skilful forward who works her way around defenders, sometimes with ease, to find the right space to touch on or score.
Stacey Luck – A strong and fast defensive halfback who can move the ball and open up play into the midfield. Has been selected for the Stingers women’s squad.
Waratah in pursuit of fairytale DHL23 premiership
Waratah hockey club didn’t field an A-grade men’s team last season, now they’re 68-minutes away from winning the premiership.
The team will now prepare as they take on Banks this Saturday in the DHL23 grand final.
“We’ve come from not even fielding a side last year to putting together a brand new team this season,” captain and coach Dane Gavranich said after his side’s win over Easts.
“We’ve been pulling together numbers each week and running out a side all season, and it’s starting to turn into something really special.”
The former Hockey One League player is optimistic about their chances in the grand final, and what a premiership would mean for the club.
“It would be huge,” Gavranich said.
“And it will be huge for years to come.
“It’s not just about this season but what we can build upon in the next five years and beyond.
“The club is completely behind us and it seems like half the hockey community is also behind us which is fuelling us.
“We’ve created this culture in the team now where we just fight through games; we grind games out.
“We have a great sense of belief in one another and I think it’s all just clicked at the right time of the season and I’m looking forward to our game this weekend.”
GRAND FINALS INFO
*All games will be played September 16 at MWT Hockey Centre, Marrara.
B-grade Women: Banks vs. Waratah, at 2pm.
B-grade Men: Saints vs. Tigers, at 4pm.
A-grade Women: Commerce vs. East Darwin, at 6pm.
A-grade Men: Waratah vs. Banks, at 8pm.
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