Commerce’s upset win over flag favourites in the women’s hockey grand final a future blueprint

Commerce coach Mark Davis confident a new-look women’s hockey competition will emerge from his side’s defeat of the powerful Waratah in the grand final

Commerce coach Mark Davis, second from left in the back row, hopes his side’s defeat of the powerful Waratah in the women’s grand final will give opposition clubs a big dose of self belief. Picture: Che Chorley

COMMERCE’S shock win over Darwin women’s hockey powerhouse Waratah can only be good for the Territory game,’’ premiership winning coach Mark Davis said last night.

Commerce shrugged off their underdog tag in emphatic fashion, beating the flag favourites 3-0 to snap Waratah’s run of five consecutive A-grade premierships.

“It was really funny because a couple of coaches from the other clubs like Easts and Banks were all rapt with the result,’’ he said.

“They were more excited than we were, so to say our win was good for the competition is definitely a good point to make.

“You have to take intensity and a good game plan into a good side like Waratah and we did that.

“That was the best four quarter effort we’ve had this year and we did it in the biggest game of the year.’’

Davis had noted his side’s strong finishing towards the end of matches throughout the season.

“But we had those little ups and downs that affected our matches, something that did not happen this time when everyone clicked,’’ he said.

“Both the Liddy girls (Candice and Simone) were fantastic for us and we didn’t seem to panic.

“When you are a couple of goals up you can easily throw that lead away with a bit of panic.’’

Davis said his side’s ability to maintain possession across the pitch while still trying to score had been a big factor in the second half.

Three goals in 24 minutes in the first half should have been enough to guarantee a win.

“We didn’t shut up shop by dropping everyone back, we were actually trying to get the scoreboard out of heads and score again,’’ he said.

“I’ve been at so many games of hockey where 2-0 is nothing, even a 3-0 lead is dangerous.

“A team can bang in a couple of goals in less than a minute and it’s game on.’’

The grand final win was Commerce’s first in six years, a period where Tahs dominated the league.

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