Hockey One mid-season predictions 2023: Teams set to star and suffer at business end

Current table standings are deceptive in a seven-week season where byes have major implications. Here’s how the rest of Hockey One 2023 is set to play out.

A goal by Penny Squibb, pictured for the Hockeyroos, was crucial. Picture: ANP via Getty Images

A defensive arm wrestle has slung the undefeated Perth Thundersticks women to the top of the Hockey One table and dealt HC Melbourne their first loss of 2023.

The Thundersticks had fewer circle entries than Melbourne but treasured possession in a game riddled with turnovers in Perth on Sunday afternoon.

Hockeyroo Penny Squibb’s short corner rebound smash one minute before halftime was enough for the home side to defend a 1-0 lead over the title favourites.

Meanwhile, the men’s match put HC Melbourne back in the finals hunt after toppling 2022 grand finalists the Perth Thundersticks 2-6.

Nathan Ephraums’ one-touch-bang goal in the final quarter set the tone for Melbourne to make a strong finish in 2023.

Of course, table standings are deceptive in a seven-week season in which teams play each other once and byes have major implications.

Here’s how the rest of Hockey One 2023 looks set to play out.

Nathan Ephraums’ one-touch-bang goal in the final quarter set the tone for Melbourne. Picture: WorldSportPics/Frank Uijlenbroek

HOCKEY ONE 2023 PREDICTIONS - WOMEN

Perth Thundersticks (1st, 3-0)

The Thundersticks women harbour some of the best defenders in the league, led by Hockeyroos Karri Somerville and Penny Squibb.

However, their win-loss record hides wobbles in attack. A 1-0 win over HC Melbourne highlighted a lack of strike power. This won’t fly when they face goal-hungry NSW Pride and Brisbane Blaze in rounds six and seven.

Defence will help Perth reach finals, but goal-scoring ability wins trophies in Hockey One.

Upcoming games: Adelaide Fire, NSW Pride, Brisbane Blaze

Prediction: Semi-finalists

HC Melbourne (3rd, 3-1)

Favourites to take out the title in 2022, HC Melbourne bombed out in the semi-finals last year.

Their defence is anchored by Australia’s most capped female Hockeyroo goalkeeper, Rachael Lynch. But like Perth, the group lack efficiency upfront. Every result has been determined by a single goal or shootout.

Come finals time, they will need to find a way to score without 2022 MVP and hockey mastermind Amy Lawton. An untimely clash with the FIH Junior World Cup means Lawton and her sister Josie, plus Australia’s best junior players will be in Chile playing for the under-21 Australian Jillaroos.

HC Melbourne still face two enormous tests against the Brisbane Blaze and Canberra Chill. Doomed to be low-scoring affairs, they’re likely to end the season early.

Upcoming games: Brisbane, BYE, Canberra

Prediction: 5th place finish

NSW Pride (5th, 1-2)

Defending premiers NSW Pride expected to cruise past Canberra Chill on Saturday afternoon but were stunned when their trademark counter-attacking goals were used viciously against them. Likewise, a round three shootout loss to HC Melbourne at home may come back to bite them.

Late runs are typical of the Pride who lost three of their first four matches in 2022 then barnstormed home to take the cup. They face easier opponents in the second half of this season.

Grace Stewart’s strike power, Mariah Williams’ turnover skills, and the defiance in goals of Jocelyn Bartram have illustrated their potency. Sprinkle in exciting rookie Roo Abigail Wilson for the making of back-to-back titles.

Upcoming games: Tassie Tigers, Perth Thundersticks, Adelaide Fire

Prediction: Premiers

Jocelyn Bartram (R) is a crucial figure in goals. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Canberra Chill (2nd, 3-1)

The surprise story of the women’s competition. After missing finals last year, the Canberra Chill’s loss against Perth in round one can be excused by 16-hour flight delays.

Since then, the Chill have been on an upward trajectory. But it was not until Saturday afternoon that the Chill really marked themselves as contenders, stealing a 5-2 win against defending champions NSW Pride.

The combination of experience in former Hockeyroo Naomi Evans and Kalindi Commerford with New Zealand Black Stick Hannah Cotter, plus three Irish internationals, is chilling. Canberra is the host city of the 2023 finals series, adding motivation for a home appearance.

Upcoming games: BYE, Brisbane Blaze, HC Melbourne

Prediction: Grand finalists

Brisbane Blaze (4th, 2-1)

The Blaze women were the inaugural 2019 champions of Hockey One and reached the grand final in 2022. Their team list is among the most Hockeyroo-heavy of all clubs.

But results in their likely third finals appearance may come down to squad depth. The Junior World Cup will pull Blaze stars from every line from round seven onwards, including goalkeeper Jordan Bliss plus big names Tatum Stewart, Claire Colwill, Maddie Kenny and Cullum-Sanders.

Veteran Queensland coach Nikki Taylor is a shrewd operator who will ensure a top four finish, but the Blaze will extinguish before the big dance.

Upcoming games: HC Melbourne, Canberra Chill, Perth Thundersticks

Prediction: Semi-finalists

Adelaide Fire (6th, 0-3)

The buzz of signing Brooke Peris to combine with Hockeyroo captain Jane Claxton has been this year’s biggest let down. Adelaide have failed to fire because the gap between their best and worst is just too wide.

Upcoming games: Perth Thundersticks, Tassie Tigers, NSW Pride

Prediction: 6th place finish

Tassie Tigers (7th, 0-4)

The cellar dwellers of Hockey One harbour plenty of youthful energy but no teeth. Tassie hasn’t won a game since round one in 2022 and the trend looks set to continue.

Upcoming games: NSW Pride, Adelaide Fire, BYE

Prediction: Wooden spoon

HOCKEY ONE 2023 PREDICTIONS – MEN

HC Melbourne (4th, 2-2)

The perennial underachievers of 2022, HC Melbourne looks ready to flip the script this year if they can gather consistency. Their Sunday afternoon 2-6 win over the Perth Thundersticks showcased potential to do just that.

Melbourne dominated the attacking momentum, despite missing young guns Cooper Burns, Liam Henderson and Craig Marais to the men’s under-21 Australian side the Burras, who are playing in the Sultan of Johor Cup currently.

The fifth goal, a one-touch clanger by Nathan Ephraums, may just set the tone for a strong finish in 2023.

Upcoming games: Brisbane Blaze, BYE, Canberra Chill

Prediction: Semi-finalists

Perth Thundersticks (6th, 1-2)

The grand finalists of last season started strong with a win over Canberra Chill but have squandered scoring opportunities over the past two weekends.

It’s been a disappointing tale for the Kookaburra heavyweights, who feature stars Aran Zalewski, Jake Harvie, Tom Wickham, James Collins and Ben Rennie. Former Canberran James Day loves to score drag flicks but the rest of the squad appeared to lack urgency in the upset loss at home to HC Melbourne.

With big games ahead against NSW Pride and Brisbane Blaze, Sunday’s round four loss might have decided Perth’s season.

Upcoming games: Adelaide Fire, NSW Pride, Brisbane Blaze

Prediction: 5th place finish

Aran Zalewski could be crucial for the Thundersticks. Pictures: Adam Head

NSW Pride (1st, 3-0)

Trophy winners in season one and two, the Pride men are lurking ominously with a threepeat and undefeated season in their sights.

Australia’s most valuable drag flicker Blake Govers has added potency to an already powerful attack, having scored five in the Pride’s first three matches.

But the more exciting story is the Pride don’t rely on Govers – able to score field goals from a plethora of sticks including Ky Willot, Tim Brand, Tom Craig, Flynn Ogilvie, Daine Richards and Jack Hayes. They’re backed up by impenetrable goalkeeping in two-time man of the match Ash Thomas.

An electric 11-2 win against HC Melbourne in round three provided a taste of the damage the “gold wave” of counter attacks can do.

Upcoming games: Tassie Tigers, Perth Thundersticks, Adelaide Fire

Prediction: Unstoppable, premiers

Brisbane Blaze (2nd, 2-1)

An arsenal of goal scorers with lightning-quick transitions from defence into attack. The Brisbane Blaze are firing in every line – from defence in Corey Weyer’s overheads, through the midfield of Tim Howard and Jake Whetton, into the uncanny goal sense of the league’s current leading scorer Jacob Anderson up front.

The Blaze play with a chip on their shoulder lingering from their 2022 semi-final exit. This year, they look the only team able to throw a spanner into NSW Pride’s dream run.

Upcoming games: HC Melbourne, Canberra Chill, Perth Thundersticks

Prediction: Grand finalists

Tassie Tigers (3rd, 2-2)

The Tigers are determined not to repeat their late fade-out against Canberra Chill of 2022.

Experienced Kookaburras Eddie Ockenden, Josh Beltz and Hayden Beltz handle the ball expertly while veteran defenders Tim Deavin and Jeremy Edwards are safe sticks at the back. Whether they have the pace to mix it with the league’s best is questionable.

The Tigers will go one better this year and make finals but will come up short against NSW Pride and Brisbane Blaze.

Upcoming games: NSW Pride, Adelaide Fire, BYE

Prediction: Semi-finalists

Adelaide Fire (5th, 2-1)

An unlikely round two win against HC Melbourne was their first in the history of Hockey One. It proved Adelaide have finally found some spark in 2023 – but it doesn’t appear to be enough for a finals berth.

Jack “Hollywood” Holland is excitement on a stick and Kieran Govers has been a key midfield signing. Expect big things in 2024.

Upcoming games: Perth Thundersticks, Tassie Tigers, NSW Pride

Prediction: 6th place finish

Canberra Chill (7th, 1-3)

Rupinder Pal Singh may have a social media following and physical presence to “block out the sun” according to Perth Thundersticks head coach Craig Wilson. However, this year’s marquee signing of Indian hockey royalty has not helped the Canberra Chill grow in stature.

The Chill sit on the bottom of the ladder and look unlikely to climb off it, with a bye and two stacked opponents to come.

Upcoming games: BYE, Brisbane Blaze, HC Melbourne

Prediction: Wooden spoon