Finals stars: Every Toowoomba Hockey grand final result and Player the Match winner
Toowoomba Hockey Association capped off a memorable season with an exciting day of grand finals on Saturday. Check out our photo galleries and get every result and MVP winner here.
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HOCKEY: They left it late, but the Red Lion A1 men’s pack roared again at the weekend.
Josh Bidgood’s goal with just a handful of minutes left on the clock sealed a dramatic 1-0 for Red Lion and their fourth straight A1 men’s premiership.
“Our defence was the key,” Red Lion’s Craig Smith said.
“Our young keeper Daniel Burge showed why he is part of the Australian Futures Program with some sensational saves that kept us in the game and the scores even.
“Generally at the back I thought we were very strong.
“We played well as a unit in defence, made some key tackles, and we looked to build our attack as quickly as we could off the back of that work.”
Red Lion have now won five of the past six A1 men’s premierships, and a glance at their 2022 roster points to a potentially bright future.
Smith attritubes the club’s continued success to culture and a love for the game.
“One of the things we pride ourselves on is our strong leadership core and our culture,” he said.
“Everyone at the club is focused on working hard and enjoying playing the game.
“In the men’s (A1) team we’re always looking to blood young players when we can through out the season so they can have that experience of playing at the top.
“Young Hayden Macready who is 15 is a good example. We bought him into the side this season. and he featured in the final.
“And all of players have come through the ranks - they’ve been part of the club for years which is important when you think about culture and continuity.”
In the J2 Girls grand final Newtown stuck to the systems that secured them success all season to beat Rangeville 1-0.
“All season we’ve been focused on making sure we remain calm, focused and positive mentally,” Newtown coach Kate Hanlon said.
“Our other focus is playing as a team and that is something the girls have done really well all year.
“In the final I thought we defended against Rangeville’s short corner very well and we capitalised on our short corner.
“It was a very good game and I thought the girls played very well.”
Red Lion’s A1 men’s win capped off what was a memorable and exciting two days of junior and senior hockey at Clyde Park.
Of the 18 grand finals played 11 were decided by one goal or less with six of those 11 games going to a shootout.
The premierships honours were also evenly shared with Rangeville and Past High (5), Newtown (4), Norths and Red Lion (2) securing trophies.
RESULTS
A1 MEN: Red Lion 1 df Norths 0. Player of Match: Jacob Robertson
A1 WOMEN: Rangeville 1 drew with Newtown - Rangeville won shootout. POM: Emma Bradbury
A2 MEN: Newtown 8 df Past High 3. POM: Luke Siebuhr
A2 WOMEN: Rangeville 1 drew with Red Lion - Rangeville won shootout. POM: Alison Campbell
A3 MEN: Norths 0 drew with Past High 0 - Norths won shootout. POM: Matt Wynne
A3 WOMEN: Past High 2 df Norths 1. POM: Lacey Prior
A4 MEN: Newtown 3 df Red Lion 0. POM: Nathan Politch
A4 WOMEN: Past High 2 df Rangeville 0. POM: Ruby Weedon
J1 BOYS: Rangeville 1 drew with Past High 1 - Rangeville won shootout. POM: Brad Schultz
J1 GIRLS: Rangeville 4 df Norths 1. POM: Ava Campbell
J2 BOYS: Past High 1 drew with Newtown 1 - Past High won shootout. POM: Harry Newtown
J2 GIRLS: Newtown 1 df Rangeville 0. POM: Briana Groves
U13 BOYS: Past High 2 df Red Lion 0. POM: Joseph Brosnan
U13 GIRLS: Rangeville 1 df Past High 0. POM Lily Jane Davis
U11 BOYS: Past High 6 df Newtown 4. POM: Cooper Gollan
U11 GIRLS: Red Lion 4 df Newtown 1. POM: Olive McKenzie
M1 MASTERS: Newtown 1 df Rangeville 0. POM: Craig Richards
M2 MASTERS: Norths 0 drew with Newtown 0 - Norths won shootout. POM: Darren Crilly
BROTHERS IN ARMS
Nick Bidgood has played in his fair share of hockey finals and everyone of them has been special.
This Saturday’s grand final will be extra special though with the Red Lion stalwart lining up alongside two very familiar faces.
For the first time ever in a senior final, Nick and his brothers Ryan and Josh will play in the same team.
“Ryan made his debut for the A1 men last season – with him being the youngest of us that was the first time we’d all played together in a senior team,” Nick said.
“Unfortunately he didn’t play in our grand final winning side.
“Playing in grand finals is always special but with the three of us playing this time round it will be extra special.”
However, family loyalties will bea distant second in the pursuit of premiership win.
Nick said while he loves playing alongside his brothers they all understand the team must come first.
“We’ve played together all our lives and that certainly helps on the field,” he said.
“But we (the Bidgood brothers) trust our teammates just as much we trust each other.
“On the field everyone knows their role and that the team needs to come first if we want to win.”
OUR STARS TO WATCH
UNDER-11 Girls
Olive McKenzie (Newtown): Olive has a knack for helping direct her teammates around the field. Controls the game and is an accurate passer and long hitter.
Jayda Schick (Newtown): One of the team’s best defenders, Jayda has a strong tackle and ability to clear the ball wide.
Millie Gascoyne (Newtown): Her pace, acceleration and balls skills make her an attacking threat. Piles the pressure on in the circle and often gets the results.
RED LION
Having watched his side grow and develop over the course of the regular season Coach Scott Downs found it difficult to single out specific players.
“2022 has been a great season for us,” Downs said.
“The girls have improved so much as a group that I really can’t say who will make a difference in the grand final.
“We have a pretty good team dynamic with everyone taking responsibility for their role be it forward line, midfield or defence.
“It should be a great contest between us and Newtown – as a lover of hockey I’m personally looking forward to it regardless of the outcome.
“We have done all we can in preparation and that’s all we can do. The rest is up to each player on Saturday.”
UNDER-11 BOYS
Patrick Waters (Newtown): A sharp shooter inside the circle. Waters excels at producing midfield turnovers for his teammates to capitalise on.
Cooper Gollan (Newtown): A talented centre half who loves to spread the ball wide and provides excellent service to his strikers.
Blake Attrill (Newtown): A solid and reliable defender who communicates well with his teammates and will tackle all day.
Eli McCurley Ault (Past High): A versatile attacker who is always willing to make the extra pass if it will set up a teammate.
Jacob Sharpley (Past High): The young midfielder has a massive work rate and never stops running.
Vann Jones (Past High): A cool head under pressure and one of the team’s best defenders.
UNDER-13 GIRLS
Eva McCurley Ault (Past High): A great defender with an impressively strong hit.
Meg Roper (Past High): Can expertly control the flow of any game and sets up plays in attack.
Matilda Rogers (Past High): A great work ethic in attack and defence.
Savannah Patterson (Rangeville): The Queensland under-12 and soon to be U13 school girls rep is a big threat in attack. A dynamic ball carrier who has speed to burn and can score goals.
Emmy Cussons (Rangeville): Made the move from fullback to striker this season with great success. Emmy is always looking for the ball and finished the regular season as the side’s number two attacker with 21 goals.
Tessa da Silva (Rangeville): One of the competition’s leading goalkeepers – she is cool and calm under pressure.
UNDER-13 BOYS
Dylan Belanyi (Past High): A two-way midfielder who plays hard in attack and defence – Dylan never gives up on the play.
Bill McRae (Past High): A strong tackler with an impressive reach and massive engine. From the first whistle to the last Bill will run non-stop.
Trea Middleton (Past High): A fast, powerful and dynamic striker who loves finding the back of the net and running at opposition defenders.
RED LION
“One of our team goals this year was to continue to develop our sportsmanship,” coach Rach Macready said.
“As a team we have been learning about the importance of having a positive attitude, giving your best effort, shaking hands with the opposition, supporting teammates and valuing respect and fairness.
“Hockey is not an individual game, it’s played a team sport.
“Therefore, it requires players to work together and trust in each other, to do well as a team. “Everyone has a role to play, and each role is equally as important.
“Hockey players have positions on the field.
“Each position has a specific function and job to do.
“Understanding hockey structure at a young age can help kids see the bigger picture and how their piece is important and how it contributes to the whole.”
J2 GIRLS
Briana Groves (Newtown): A fantastic all-rounder with plays strong in attack and defence. Provides great leadership and direction, is cool under pressure and has a great passing game.
Lizzie Kelly (Newtown): Strong on the ball in attack and defence with the ability to create leads. As the team’s injector on short corners Lizzie is a key figure at the set piece.
Jordan Chesterfield (Newtown): Has a great knack for winning more than her share of 50-50 balls and is a huge presence defensively on short corners.
Isla Rickett (Rangeville): Troubles opposing sides with her speed, skill and ability to get in behind defensive lines.
Ava Purcell (Rangeville): A skilled player who leads by example through her effort and sportsmanship.
Lily Malone (Rangeville): An ever reliable workhorse in attack and defence.
J2 BOYS
Tanner Henley (Newtown Wizards): A solid defender who clears the ball well which allows his team counter-attack quickly. Does his best work at the back but his runs upfield highlight how skilful he is.
Harry Newtown (Newtown Wizards): Harry’s versatility makes him an extremely valuable asset. Can make an impact playing a fullback, half or forward and is a natural leader.
Lachlan Groves (Newtown Wizards): An amazingly skilled attacking player who can trouble any opposition defence.
Keiran Belanyi (Past High): An experience and committed leader who leaves nothing in the tank.
Henry Rossow (Past High): An end-to-end player with great fitness levels who throws everything he has into every game.
Clayton Lawrence (Past High): There’s no questioning Clayton’s commitment despite breaking his arm halfway through the season he has been one of the side’s best players and an instrumental figure in midfield.
J1 GIRLS
Caleiah Boyd (Norths): Recognises space and leads into it to create one out opportunities against defenders. A talented attacker and goalscorer who is always busy in the attacking circle.
Jane Butler (Norths): A talented midfielder who spots open teammates and finds them with pinpoint passes. Has brilliant spatial awareness which allows her to create space for herself and her teammates.
Stella Suey (Norths): Her ‘close stick work’ makes her hard to handle in one-on-one attacking situations. Stella is always on the move making a great target in attack and she tracks back to support her teammates in defence.
Tannah Hood (Rangeville): The newly crowned Toowoomba Hockey Association Player of the Year leads by example and has a great ability to take control of a game.
Ella Hagenbach (Rangeville): A hardworking quiet and reliable player in attack and defence.
Krystalee Pohlman (Rangeville): A leader in attack and defence who plays a leading in ensuring the team keeps its shape.
J1 BOYS
Tom Campbell (Rangeville): A composed and mature player in the middle of the park. Can easily dominate and win a game single-handedly.
Callum McCurley Ault (Rangeville): As captain he leads by example and leaves nothing on the field. A fast and aggressive attacker who pressures opposition defences.
Brock Hess (Rangeville): One of the team’s most consistent performers this season. Young and skilful he shines in one-one-one situations but can also finds he teammates with the right pass.
Will Cronk (Past High): A consistent leader week in, week out.
Sam Bullen (Past High): A solid and reliable defender with buckets of talent.
Matt Hawthorne (Past High): A talented player who makes an impact every time he steps on the field.
A4 MEN
Wyatt Wilson (Newtown): The centre half has a great work ethic and can always be relied on to get the job done.
Stewart Eddie (Newtown): A solid and reliable presence in goal.
Ross Geiger (Newtown): The midfielder is fit, fast and will run all day.
Adan Sanders (Red Lion): The centre half plays a pivitol role controlling the centre of the field, distributing the ball to his forwards and stopping attacking raids.
Michael Riley (Red Lion): An experienced head in the forward line who steers the side’s younger players around and tracks back in defence.
Nathan Burns (Red Lion): A great teammate and leader. Nathan has been near-on impossible to beat in goal this year with Red Lion conceding the least amount of goals this season.
A4 WOMEN
Sonya Lynch (Past High): It’s easy to see why Sonya wears the captain’s armband, she is an experienced leader and great teammate.
Ruby Weedon (Past High): A constantly moving target in the middle of the park with great speed and stick skills.
Amy Ramsay (Past High): A positive voice and influence who guides the team and works hard.
Kristy Dardenne (Rangeville): An imposing presence in goal who is hard to beat.
Rechelle Steinhardt (Rangeville): A critical part of the defensive unit with great composure and a penetrating pass.
Katie Williams (Rangeville): Creates great attacking opportunities through sheer will and determination.
A3 MEN
Darrel Madden (Norths): The veteran keeper is a loud and clear voice at the back – steering his defenders into the right positions. His quick reflexes make him hard to beat.
Caleb Tarlinton (Norths): A constant threat in the attacking circles, Caleb will be looking to add to his record as the team’s top goalscorer.
Heath Knox (Norths): A strong presence in the middle of the field, Heath is a great defender and controls the pace of the game well.
Cody Rush (Past High): A crucial part of the team’s success this season. A great communicator in defence and his ‘injection’ passes on set pieces have lead to plenty of goals.
Liam McGuire (Past High): Liam works hard on and off the ball to create opportunities for his team and his speed out wide makes him a threat in attack.
Keiran Belanyi (Past High): Has consistently troubled defences all season with his stick skills and speed. His ability to draw in players and pass off makes him vital in attack.
A3 WOMEN
Jane Roper (Past High): Uses her knowledge of the game and ability to read the play to great effect to help her team.
Kate Skuse (Past High): A consistent and reliable player who works hard in attack and defence.
Lacey Prior (Past High): A young star on the rise, Lacey is great in defence and has precise hitting abilities.
Kellie Alexander (Norths): An outstanding defender who communicates well and organises her teammates into a cohesive unit.
Latitia Robinson (Norths): The leading A3 women’s goalscorer has great speed and cannot be left unchecked in the attacking circle.
Megan Clark (Norths): The glue in the middle of the park for Norths – a great communicator and organiser.
A2 MEN
Craig Richards (Newtown): A solid presence on the ball with years of wisdom and experience.
Kieran Wilkie (Newtown): Locks down the midfield and controls the tempo of the game.
Lachlan Ziviani (Newtown): The young keeper has kept Newtown in plenty of games this season and won his fair share thanks to his skills in the ‘cage’.
Cory Mogg (Past High): A solid tackler, hard hitter and key part of Past High’s penalty corner attack.
Will Cronk (Past High): A talented all-rounder with a strong tackle and great vision in attack.
Riley Williams (Past High): The young striker has speed to burn and is a great backline runner.
A2 WOMEN
Skylar Watterson (Red Lion): A dangerous combination of speed, tenacity and work rate. Skylar is also a great role model and leader for the younger players in the squad.
Mikaela Dorge (Red Lion): A quiet achiever with a work rate second to none. Mikaela is strong on the ball, has a great engine and well do anything asked of her.
Alyssa Rollason (Red Lion): The young keeper has denied countless strikers with brilliant saves this season. Alyssa is a cool head under pressure and plays with skill and determination.
Candice Luff (Rangeville): A powerful and accurate striker who has troubled plenty of defenders this season.
Tia Beckham (Rangeville): The midfielder is the glue in the centre – making sure her team holds its structure.
Sarah Meadows (Rangeville): A great defender who releases the ball early to help her side launch counter-attacks.
A1 MEN
Will Suey (Norths): Young, agile and reads the game well – a potential game changer.
Zac Goodwin (Norths): A pivitol part of Norths penalty corner plays with his lethal dragflick. Has speed to burn down the middle and can break a game open.
Matt Tarlinton (Norths): Troubles defenders with his speed and has knack for being in the right place at the right time.
Dan Burge (Red Lion): The 18-year-old is a star keeper on the rise and was recently named in the Australian Futures Program. A key part of the team’s defence and their title hopes.
Lachlan Brownhalls (Red Lion): Has bags of finals experience and leads by example. Runs hard in the midfield and sets the tempo for the team.
Josh Bidgood (Red Lion): Making the move into the striker line has paid off with Bidgood now the squad’s leading goalscorer. A tough and competitive striker whose drag flicks at set pieces are vital to the team
A1 WOMEN
Amanda Ross (Newtown): The backbone of the club for a number of years – Amanda plays with strength, skill and determination. An inspiring player, coach and supporter on and off the field.
Maggie Pembroke (Newtown): A new addition to the club who has had a positive impact. A strong midfielder who always plays the right pass.
Sarah Bradbury (Newtown): Another of THA’s great young goalkeepers. Sarah is agile, alert and able to save shots from any angle.
Brooke Thompson (Rangeville): The captain leads by example and loves pushing forward in search of goal. A reliable hard worker who tracks back in defence when needed.
Lily Rickert (Rangeville): The Queensland Country rep player is in good form and will be one to watch in the grand final.
Katie Wollstein (Rangeville): The club’s leading goalscorer over the past five years has excellent balls skills and works hard on and off the ball.
MASTERS 1
Grant Clarke (Newtown): Solid as a rock at fullback and holds his team together.
Aaron Kenealy (Newtown): Brings his A-game to every match and works hard.
Samantha Richards (Newtown): Scores goals and plays with intensity.
Terry Jackson (Rangeville): An end-to-end player who scores goals and is amazing to watch on the ball.
Alex Thompson (Rangeville): The team’s beating heart, Alex is a consistent and energetic player who inspires her teammates.
Mark Stevenson (Rangeville): A consistent and reliable keeper who rarely makes mistakes.
MASTERS 2
Barry Jones (Newtown): An ever reliable midfielder who leaves nothing on the field.
Trudy Schwerin (Newtown): A quiet achiever who works hard every game.
Ross Geiger (Newtown): Pops up everywhere on the field and has a fantastic skill set.
Luke Fiedler (Norths): Rarely beaten in defence and runs all day.
Jane Reuter (Norths): A tenacious attacker who is a constant threat in the attacking circle.
Kristie Fiedler (Norths): A commanding presence in the defensive circle, the determined keeper clears the ball well and organises her defence.
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