Talking points from round 6 of the Hockey One series
Andrew Charter’s likely successor as Australia’s premier goalkeeper has emerged and finals hopes have been dashed in a drama-filled round 6 of the Hockey One series. Discover the biggest news here.
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Andrew Charter’s likely successor as Australia’s premier goalkeeper has emerged and finals hopes have been dashed in a drama-filled round 6 of the Hockey One series.
With incoming Australian Kookaburras coach Mark Hager set to crown a new shot-stopper following Charter’s decision to retire on Thursday, a host of names have stamped their claims for a spot between the posts at international level.
Discover the biggest news from the round here.
CANBERRA CHILL
Canberra players formed a guard of honour for retiring Australia representative Andrew Charter following his side’s Hockey One loss to a Melbourne team boasting the man who could replace him in the Kookaburras team.
Charter announced on Thursday that he would step down from international duties following an incredible career in goal for Australia.
Johan Durst was the travelling reserve keeper for the Paris Olympics and he bolstered his claims to be the new main man for Australia after winning the game for Melbourne in the final minute of the club’s round 6 game on Friday at the National Hockey Centre.
Hockey Club Melbourne were leading 2-0 when Kaito Tanaka scored with 60 seconds remaining.
Tanaka had a conversion attempt to level scores and send the game into a shootout but was denied by a quick moving Durst.
“Hockey One has been a great way to see the next crop of goalkeepers coming through,” Canberra coach Seyi Onitiri said.
“(Adelaide’s) Jed Snowden has probably been the leading example of that and at the other end of our game Johan Durst was exceptional.
“Johan has been performing well all series so with a new Australian coach coming in he hasn’t done his chances of selection any harm.”
The loss was Canberra’s first of the season and the Chill remain in a strong position with one regular season game left before finals.
“It was a tight game between two sides who are in good form,” Onitiri said.
“Melbourne have put together a number of good performances and had us on the ropes.
“I was pleased with the way we hung in there and waited for the momentum to change.”
Canberra’s women’s team lost 3-2 to Melbourne in a result that has put an end to its finals hopes for 2024.
ADELAIDE FIRE
Adelaide coach Jethro Eustice hopes the Fire’s maiden Hockey One home ground win can be the turning point that sends the club to a 2025 finals berth.
The Fire’s 2-1 round 6 win over NSW Pride on Saturday was their first this season and the first at South Australia’s MATE Stadium since the Hockey One was launched in 2019 and it ended NSW’s finals chances.
Eustice took over the head coaching role for 2024 and will remain at the helm in 2025 where he hopes to add the consistency that will propel the side forward despite being out of the race for finals with one round to play.
“It was an incredible night for the boys and even for the public who have been so supportive,” Eustice said.
“To get over the line and build a bit of confidence was really good. I have been really process driven and we might not be where we wanted to be at this stage of the competition but we have shown we are competitive.
“For us it is about consistency. We changed a lot this year with new players and coaches and there has been great improvement. We have seen the progression in both attack and defence and hopefully we can build on that and be in the top four next year.”
Fire player Lachlan Arneil is expected to return for this week’s game against Brisbane after passing concussion protocols during the round 6 game.
Arneil was hit in the head with a stick but was tested off the field and returned soon after to continue playing.
Adelaide’s women’s team remain winless after an 8-0 loss to NSW.
“It was a tough match,” Stand-in coach Fred Notman said.
“We played some great hockey but NSW were clinical and hungry. There was lots to learn for us but it feels like we played better hockey then we have been.
“We had some better connection going forward and actually looked to exploit the space, get our eyes up and feel comfortable doing it.”
NSW PRIDE
NSW coach Roel Van Maasteugt says he is yet to discuss his future with the club after the side had its Hockey One finals hopes shattered in round 6.
The Pride lost 2-1 to Adelaide at MATE Stadium on Saturday in what was a must-win clash to remain in the race for a top four berth going into this week’s final round.
Van Maasteugt took on the coaching role two weeks before the start of the season following the exit of Brent Livermore and despite showing glimpses of strong hockey the side hasn’t been able to capture a top four spot against the odds.
Van Maasteugt said he would make a decision with the club about 2025 following round 7.
“I haven’t spoken about that with the club at all yet,” he said.
“We would like to continue and finish this season first. We have our pride on the line and want to get a good result.
“After that is done we will do our evaluation and reporting and then start looking at next year.”
Van Maasteugt said the round 6 loss was disappointing.
“We are all done now. It was a back and forth game and in the end we have not been able to get the job done,” he said.
“We started behind after coming in two weeks before the season started and we haven’t been able to get it on track in time.
“It’s a very disappointing result for the players and coaching staff and for hockey I NSW.
“There has been a lot of young players who have gained some valuable experience due to players being unavailable and that will set them up for the future. It doesn’t make this loss or missing the finals any less painful.”
NSW’s women’s side beat Adelaide 8-0 and are in fourth going into the last regular season game where a win would guarantee a finals spot.
Makayla Jones scored three goals while Grace Stewart (two), Mariah Williams (one) and Abby Wilson (one) also contributed in a dominant display.
BRISBANE:
Brisbane will return from a trip to Perth without any Hockey One points but a blackbook of notes that form the blueprint to its title defence.
The Blaze women’s team drew 6-6 with the Thunderstix at Perth Hockey Stadium on Sunday before losing a shootout in sudden death 5-4.
But the trip was about so much more than a win for reigning champions Brisbane who are currently entrenched in the top four.
It was about getting a look at the tactics of Perth and discovering the areas it needs to strengthen while taking note of the areas it can hurt the Thunderstix.
“It definitely helps,” Brisbane coach Nikki Taylor said of meeting Perth near finals.
“The points didn’t matter as much for either team so there was a bit of cat and mouse.
“There was lots to like. We started well in the first quarter which is something we haven’t done in other games.
“We probably needed to capitalise on some of our opportunities. That is an area of focus. We let them back in the game and we need to deny their midfield run a bit more at times.
“They got us with a few counter attacks and we need to prevent that. Our corner defence was great. There are things I liked and areas we can get them along with things we can do differently.”
Brisbane’s men’s team kept its season alive with a 5-2 win over Perth, with Jacob Anderson scoring a hat-trick.
Originally published as Talking points from round 6 of the Hockey One series
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