Tigers’ knockout defending champions Waratah in sudden-death shootout
It was a tale of contrasting stories for the men and women’s TPL prelim finals with one going to a sudden-death penalty shootout and the other an eight goal hammering. Catch-up on the TPL finals action here.
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The Nightcliff Tigers have pulled off one of the greatest escapes in recent memory.
Up against the reigning champions Waratah in their knockout preliminary final on Saturday, the Tigers dug deep until the final stroke.
After an opening term that went goalless, the Nightcliff outfit hit the back of the net first courtesy of Janu Varatharajan who charged to the Tahs net after taking the ball inside his own half and masterfully negating Waratah’s defensive efforts.
It wasn’t until early in the third that Tahs’ Marlon Hill found the back of the net after some brilliant shot topping from Tiger’s gloveman Lachlan Walter.
Waratah’s Zach Rakkas then edged his men into the lead after a dazzling display of stick handling and a cannon of a shot saw the Kookaburra whiz past Walter’s grasp.
Down a goal, Nightcliff was in all out attack mode for the final minutes of the game, unable to get past Tah’s Riley Butcher in goal.
It took a corner and a second ball effort for Tigers’ Cameron Cooke to score, crushing the hearts of Waratah in the process.
Level at two a piece, the game went into a penalty shootout.
Again, goalkeeping was the story of the night with both shot stoppers standing on their heads between the sticks.
Still level at 2/5 the game went into sudden death.
Rakkas took the shot for Waratah and sprayed it wide leaving Cooke with a chance to seal the match.
Cooke took the penalty shot like an expert, delivering his team a grand final berth in the process, in a 5-4 scoreline.
“The key thing for me when one-on-one is to stay on my feet as long as possible,” Nightcliff’s Walters said.
“It’s definitely stressful when you’ve got the game on the line, and before that, I truthfully wasn’t even sure if we’d be able to level it before the end of the quarter.
“It’s also a bit sweeter as they knocked us out in the finals last year so it’s nice to get one back on them, and hopefully we can continue and get the win next week.”
Before the men’s clash, Palmerston Saints and Commerce Pints went head-to-head in a very one-sided affair.
Pints were too strong and well drilled for a rebuilding Saints, a side that made the prelim after a shock upset victory over Nightcliff.
While the women from Palmerston put up a valiant fight, the Commerce outfit, spearheaded by the highly talented Macenzee Dixon and supported by the calm and collected Zita Varatharajan at the back, was too strong.
Pints scored two goals in the first, three in the second, two in the third and one in the fourth to run away with an emphatic 8-0 victory.
“We held our own all game, stuck to the plan and had a bit of luck go our way,” Dixon said.
“We wanted to show everyone what we can do and that we are more than ready for a rematch with Darwin in the final next weekend.”
East Darwin continues double premiership assault in TPL
East Darwin has stormed into the TPL grand finals after another dominant outing from both its men’s and women’s TPL sides.
The two seemingly unstoppable forces downed their semi-final opponents with relative ease on Saturday, each booking a trip to the big dance.
East’s men toppled the Nightcliff Tigers in a 6-3 affair, while the reigning champions in the women defeated Commerce Pints in a 4-1 scoreline.
Elsewhere, Waratah men played arguably their most complete game of the season winning 4-0 against last year’s grand finalists Banks, bolstering their back-to-back title aspirations.
Palmerston Saints caused an upset of sorts in the second women’s semi, besting Nightcliff in a close 4-3 scoreline. Looking ahead, Pints and the Saints will face-off in this weekend’s preliminary final for the women while Waratah and Nightcliff will play for the final spot in the grand final.
Results
MEN
Semi 1 score: East Darwin 6 def. 3 Nightcliff Tigers
Goals: Darwin – Issac Farmilo 2, Jamie Hullick 2, Aaron Chin, Nathan Hockman, Tigers – Jason Talbot 2, Stanley Cox
Semi 2 score: Waratah 4 def. 0 Banks
Goals: Waratah – Brendan Evans 2, Jack West, Zach Rakkas
WOMEN
Semi 1 score: East Darwin 4 def. 1 Commerce Pints
Goals: Darwin – Camille O’Conor, Emily Chaffey, Isabelle O’Conor, Lauren Mutton, Pints – Niesha Casimiro
Semi 2 score: Palmerston Saints 4 def. 3 Nightcliff Tigers
Goals: Saints – Emma Vogt, Hayley Lowe, Kirstie Wall, Tianeka Casey, Tigers – Kelly Skippings, Samantha PangQuee, Tiana Crompton
Everything you need to know ahead of the TPL finals 2024
The pointy end of the NT Hockey Territory Premier League has arrived.
After what has been an equally entertaining and competitive season that has seen East Darwin a step above the rest in both men’s and women’s.
Read how the TPL men’s and women’s sides are shaping up here.
Men
SEMI-FINAL 1: EAST DARWIN (1) VS. (2) NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS
In what looks to be the match of the round, Easts and Nightcliff will playoff for a direct berth in the grand final in a fortnight’s time.
The two top teams all season, Easts have had the Tigers number to date, beating them on all three occasions.
Losing just the one game this season after fielding an unregistered player, Easts have blitzed the competition scoring 126 goals while conceding 20 to finish with a goal difference 77 better than Nightcliff.
As for the Tigers, they should by no means be written off.
A very solid outfit brimming with talented youngsters and old heads, they finished up the season with an impressive 11-1-3 record.
East Darwin:
Coach’s comment – Craig White
“Like other teams, we have had players in and out all year, and we are only recently getting to full strength.
“Ability to scrap out a win when we’ve had players out for various reasons has been impressive and being loose in defence and leaking goals is what we need to be cautious of.
“The group is determined and positive and we are looking forward to the challenge.
“Luke Broadway, Cameron Cooke, David Skippings (are the players we need to be mindful of).”
White’s players to watch
Isaac Farmilo, Jamie Hullick and Calvin Farmilo
Nightcliff Tigers:
Technical Director Michelle Caden’s comment
“(It’s been an) up and down season that hasn’t been greatly consistent for Tigers however they know how to play finals better than anyone else in the competition.”
Caden’s players to watch
Lachlan Walter in goal, Luke Broadway and Cameron Cooke
SEMI-FINAL 2: WARATAH (3) VS. (4) BANKS
Waratah and Banks will face-off in a rematch of last year’s grand final in what is a do-or-die clash.
Both sides not having found the same consistency as last season, the two have done enough to qualify for the post-season and will approach the finals with nothing to lose.
Waratah:
Coach’s comment – Ben Tilbrook
“As the defending premiers we have been navigating the challenges of the departure of 2023
premiership coach and team MVP Dane Gavranich after he returned to WA.
“The thing that has left me impressed as coach this season has been the commitment of the players, officials and volunteers and what we need to be wary of is the pressure we place on ourselves.
“(At the moment the vibe is good) we are a great group of teammates and we just love playing hockey together.”
Tilbrook’s players to watch
Riley Butcher – Our teenage goalie, he was one our heroes from our finals campaign last year and the form he has been in, in recent weeks is a good indicator that he is ready to armour up and put his body on the line once again.
Robert Duguid – The skipper is reminding everyone just how much of a force he is in the midfield and has been pivotal in the way our team has advanced up the field this year.
Josh Taylor – A new recruit, Taylor has proven himself as one of the most damaging players in the competition. In the midfield he provides the team attacking options with his work rate and ability to breeze by opposition with a change of pace and direction.
Banks:
Technical Director Michelle Caden’s comment
“It has been difficult to come off the back of a pretty good performing year in 2023 for the Banks men. Without consistency and depth it has been hard to compete.
We need to be wary of Tiger’s speed in the midfield and goal scoring prowess. Their goal keeper Lachlan Walters is in form and one of the best in the competition.”
Caden’s player to watch
Darren Nunn – Has been amazing for Banks in the midfield, smart and crafty player that is a leader on and off the field.
Women
SEMI-FINAL 1: EAST DARWIN (1) VS. (2) COMMERCE PINTS
A battle of the heavyweights, East and Commerce will face off in another 2023 grand final rematch.
Both titans of the TPL over the past few seasons, Darwin has been the side to beat this season.
However, Pints has been hot on their heels, recently pulling off the upset in Round 14 with a 3-2 victory, handing the Storm their first and only loss of the regular season.
East Darwin:
Coach’s comment – Andrew Farmilo
“The story of Easts Women this season is that we have a team full of talented, skilled and dedicated hockey players.
“They have attended fitness and training sessions all year with a fantastic positive team attitude.
“What has impressed me the most is our ability to both defend well and score goals.
“We should be cautious of drifting away from our game plan.”
Farmilo’s players to watch
Jess Martin-Brown, Corina Murray and Isobel Cowell – Are our team leaders and I will be looking to them to guide our team through the final series.
Commerce Pints:
Coach’s comment – Damien Baronio
”We started the season well this year and have put in a lot of work to get to the finals. A host of new players have joined the team creating a fresh perspective for the team.
“The on field co-ordination within the team has been very effective and over the season continued to develop. We are up against strong teams so we have a benchmark to exceed.
“The team’s attitude and support is healthy and encourages good outcomes under pressure.
“(A player we need to be mindful of) is Camille. She is a fast and skilful player who challenges with quick breakaways and forms a key part of the East’s press.”
Baronio’s players to watch
Macenzee Dixon – A very talented player and key midfielder in our team
Ash Dsouza – Our goalkeeper who keeps our last line of defence and is rock solid
Samara Modra – Playing her first top division season and has developed into a great midfielder
SEMI-FINAL 2: NIGHTCLIFF TIGERS (3) VS. (4) PALMERSTON SAINTS
Two sides that have both struggled for consistency through the regular season, Nightcliff has been the better of the two, besting Palmerston in all three matches this year.
With a 7-4-4 record the Tigers have struggled in front of the net on occasion, with defence being their saving grace in a number of matches.
As for the Saints, they will come into the contest clear underdogs with nothing to lose in what has been a rebuilding season for the side, ending with a 4-2-9 record.
Nightcliff Tigers:
Coach’s comment – Stu Beath
“(We’ve had) lots of solid improvement but finding the back of the net has been a bit of a challenge. We defend really well but just don’t give ourselves enough opportunity upfront.
“We’re just looking at this week so need to make sure we keep Saints out of our defensive 23 and put as much pressure on them as possible. No second chance this week so we have to put our best game together each time from now on.
“I think everyone gets a bit excited come finals time so looking forward to the challenge as a group.”
Beath’s players to watch
Tiana Crompton, Sammi PangQuee, Holly Beath
Palmerston Saints:
Captain’s comment – Jaimi-lee Tinning
“Our focus this season has been on rebuilding. We had a tough few seasons in the lead up to 2024 so regrouping, increasing player numbers and focusing on improving our performances with each game each week was the goal. The fact that we have gone from missing finals last year to making it this year is a testament to the team’s work rate and commitment.
“I’ve been impressed by the team’s ability to adapt.
“We need to be very aware of starting too slow. There have been a number of games this season where we didn’t get into the arm wrestle at the beginning of the match which made the score lines too big to chase down.
“We need to watch out for Tiana Crompton. She’s had an outstanding year, so we will need to limit the amount of ball she receives in the midfield.”
Tinning’s players to watch
Zarah Barnes – Incredible workrate in the midfield that’s unrivalled
Tianeka Casey – Very strong upfront
Peyton Clay – Also very solid in the top third of the field
East Darwin Storm caps off regular season with 25-0 thrashing
East Darwin Storm has had a season to remember.
The Top End hockey club finished the DHL regular season with a bang at the weekend, taking out both the men’s and women’s minor premiership titles.
The two sides proved practically unstoppable in 2024, demolishing the competition and rounding out the season with identical 14-1 records.
Fuelled by an in-house rivalry, the two sides sought to one-up the other all season, and it’s paid off in spades.
“There’s been some friendly banter and competition between the men’s and women’s teams about how we are both travelling,” East’s men’s coach Craig White said.
“Finishing the season as minor premiers is a reward for consistent results through the season.”
Out to defend their premiership title, and have a pep in their step after a their big 11-0 victory over Banks.
“The team has played well and consistently throughout the season,” coach of the side men are looking to redeem themselves for last season’s efforts.
Crashing out in the prelims last year, the men know they need to be on their A-game over the coming three weeks.
Luckily for them, they’ve hit quite the purple patch, knocking off their Round 15 opponents Banks 25-0.
Goal scoring supremo Isaac Farmilo netted nine goals to take his tally to 50 from 12 matches, as Jamie Hullick, Nathan Hockman and Tobias Jenner jumped in on the action, scoring four a piece.
Despite the convincing result and great run of form, White knows his men still have a job to do and isn’t going to let his side lose sight of the prize.
“We are well aware that during the finals, it’s a completely new ball game,” he said.
“Our focus is entirely on the next 3 weeks and putting our best hockey together from now.”
TPL Round 15 Results
Men’s:
Nightcliff Tigers 2 def. 1 Waratah
East Darwin 25 def. 0 Banks
Palmerston Saints 4 def. 2 Commerce Pints
Women’s:
Nightcliff Tigers 4 def. 0 Waratah
East Darwin 11 def. 1 Banks
Commerce Pints 8 def. 0 Palmerston Saints
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