Toowoomba hockey players set sights on premiership glory

FINALS FEVER: From the future stars of Toowoomba hockey to the mixed masters veterans we reveal the star players to watch in this weekend’s grand finals. Find out who made our list.

Past High’s Susie Marcussen (left) and Newtown’s Molly Wilson compete for possession. Wilson will be a key player in Newtown’s quest for an A3 premiership this weekend.

Clyde Park will be a hive of activity this Saturday with the region’s best players and teams chasing premiership glory in the Toowoomba Hockey Association finals.

The Mixed Masters will be the first teams in action on Thursday before a full day of play starting early Saturday morning with junior teams playing before the A1 men’s and women’s team wrap up the finals.

Ahead of the grand finals here’s our look at the star male and female players to watch.

Under-12 Boys

Past High

Colten Hart: Colten has had an amazing season, a key goal scorer for the team, contributing to our overall team tally of 105 goals for the season. Never gives up and a positive influence for the boys.

Lachlan Belanyi: Lachy has been a solid defender and key player in our backline this year. His rocket of a hit has been a weapon both in attack and defence.

Newtown

Nickson Waters: Nickson is a determined player that has a never give up attitude. With his quick feet and stick sticks we will be sure to see him making the space and working hard for his team.

Nate Hartwig: Nate is a strong player that will cause the opposition some trouble, with his clearing hits and good eye for the ball, he will be one to watch.

Under-12 Girls

Past High

Caesia Johnson: Caesia controls the middle of the field with her work rate and continuous tackling. Her pace and strength helps her dominate in both attack and defence.

Mali Robertson: Mali has pace and skill upfront which makes her a dangerous striker. Her determination and work rate is a true testament to the team.

Rangeville Blue

Piper Williams: A weapon with the ball and able to score quick goals. Strong in any position, especially when defending.

Amarni Jackson: Known for her speed and skills to run the length of the field and convert a goal.

Under-14 Boys

Past High

Trea Middleton: Trea’s exceptional pace makes him a weapon in attack. His decision making on when to pass and when to take the opposition on has added a dimension to his game this year.

James Hartin: Jimmy’s work rate in defence and his bravery make him a crucial defender in our team. His overheads have created an extra skill to his distribution out of defence.

Red Lion

Naten Suey: The midfielder covers the ground well and is adept at scoring goals from both the forehand and tomahawk.

Joey Brosnan: A midfielder who reads the play exceptionally well for a young player. Has excellent defence along with an eye for goal.

Erin Siebuhr shoots for Darling Downs against Met North. Siebuhr will be a key player for Newtown this weekend. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Under-14 Girls

Newtown

Erin Siebuhr: A reliable defender whose strength and out-letting in the midfield will create plenty of opportunities for the team.

Olivia Gollan: A talented striker and a crucial player known for her ability to initiate and drive the defensive press.

Red Lion

Evie Phillips: At centre mid, Evie is an outstanding and unselfish ball distributer and controls and drives the team in both attack and defence. She is the grades leading goal scorer for 2024, able to finish great work from the players around her. She is an infield leader with and without the ball. Always reliable, she is a major part of Red Lions success in 2024.

Holly Downs: An outstanding attacking midfielder, Holly is a powerhouse who keeps moving throughout the game. Ably supported by the players around her she can incisively run the ball deep into attacking areas and lay off to other players to finish. Her defensive work rate is high, and she is willing and able to do the hard running up and back.

J2 Boys

Newtown

Seb Doyle: Seb is solid at the back and has a good hit on him and a great team player. 

Cooper Geiger: Cooper brings leadership along with knowledge of the game and his skills.

Newtown Wizards

Angus ‘Goose’ Eastwell: Goal scoring king this year with his vivacious attacking flare. Will lead from the front and help his teammates strive for victory.

Lincoln Bryant: The teams key defensive organiser whose brick wall tackling worries all comers. He inspires his teammates through endless positivity and length of the field counter attack.

J2 Girls

Past High

Sarah Herley: Sarah leads well from the back, always putting in a consistent effort in defence, while making the most of her opportunities to attack.

Bella Downey: Bella has played consistently at the back as well as in the middle, helping make opportunities for her teammates and herself.

Red Lion

Tasmin Swann: Fierce in attack, Tasmin is fast and skilful. One of the top 10 junior goal scorers in the THA, she is hungry to put her team on top.

Sienna Mansfield: Sienna is a solid defender who reads the play well. She is a positive team player and leader among her teammates.

Kai Hill looks to gain possession for Rangeville. Picture: Kevin Farmer

J1 Boys

Rangeville

Kai Hill: Great leader on and off the field. Often underestimated by opposition, but is able to score from any part of the circle.

Charlie Jensen: One of the teams most experienced campaigners, Charlies versatility and reliability across the park makes him a weapon to watch.

Newtown

Alex Maddison: A great addition to our team this year he has been a massive help on and off the field to all of our players. He has brought a lot of strength to our midfield this year and has been someone to watch out for in penalty corners. His teamwork and quick accurate passing over running the pitch has allowed us many shooting opportunities on goal throughout our season.

Riley Gascoyne: The captain of our J1 boys and it’s his last year in juniors aiming to win the J1 final two years in a row. He is a versatile player who can quickly interchange from fullback to midfield and even striker all at a moment’s notice. He is always a positive force on the field supporting his team and club in whatever way possible. I know that Rangeville will focus on trying to shut him down in this final which I’m certain he will overcome.

J1 Girls

Red Lion

Tia Beckman: Leads from the front with her workload and never give up attitude.

Kiana Gripske: A true team player. Always selfless and positive in her actions on and off the field.

A4 Men

Red Lion Red

Duncan: Duncan has had a good season and has been a real treat when in the circle. A definite danger man when it comes to getting one past the grey keeper in the grand final

Nathan: Has been the glue that keeps the red side together with rock solid defence all season. Getting goals past Nathan will be the real test for the opposition.

Red Lion Grey

Aidan Walker: Young gun of the team, will make his mark on this game with his stick skills and tireless efforts, has been involved in everything all year.

Ian Hoddinott: Speed and agility that defies his years, always dangerous with the ball in his control, will be marked closely but he will find a way to the net.

A4 Women

Rangeville

Kristy Dardenne: A wall in the goal. Kristy has had a big year preventing opposition strikers from finding the net.

Abby Laserre: A workhorse in the midfield, her ability to eliminate defenders and get the ball going forward will be critical for success.

Newtown

Ann-Marie Zillmann: Will look to keep her good form come grand final day being one of the A4 women’s leading attackers.

Trudy Schwerin: Experienced workhorse who will look to lead the team around the field with her years of hockey knowledge.

A3 Men

Rangeville

Blake Hadley: Blake brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, his calm methodical style will guide the team around the park.

Dan Chard: A young gun of the team, his ability to move the ball at speed will create opportunities throughout the game.

Red Lion Red

Nick Erbacher: Skillful and experienced striker. Leading goal scorer in A3 Men’s competition.

Tim Nicholls: Reliable goalkeeper conceding least amount of goals for any A3 Men’s team throughout the season.

A3 Women

Newtown

Molly Wilson: A skilful midfielder who gives it her all and has the ability to find the back of the net.

Gee Scott: Calm and composed in the centre, with great distribution skills. A great leader in attack and defence.

Past High Hawks

Jade Farrows: Jade has had an outstanding year and has been the cornerstone of the team’s defensive structure.

Sarah Herley: Sarah has shown a level of maturity and composure on the field that belies her youth.

James Lush (left) of Newtown against Past High. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A2 Men

Newtown Blue

Harry Newton: A young exciting player with great work rate, lends himself in both attack and defence.

Eli Gascoyne: In great form this season, has dynamic speed and goal scoring ability.

Newtown Orange

James Lush: Solid all around player that takes the ball forward and gives 100% every game.

Kieran Wilkie: Leads the team from the back along with experience and direction. 

Toowoomba 1 goalkeeper Kristie Fiedler in action against Tweed 1 at the 2023 Hockey Queensland Womens Masters State Championships. Fiedler will be key to Newtown’s grand final hopes this weekend.

A2 Women

Newtown

Kristie Fiedler: A consistent and reliable goalkeeper. With her experience at nationals and additional training sessions, she has put in the work this season. She has been a crucial part of our success this year.

Emma Cook: Stand out player week in week out. Captains her team well with great communication. She dominates the Centre with the ability to be dangerous in attack and solid in defence.

Red Lion Grey

Kerryl Wicks: Kerryl is a strong, commanding and capable keeper. A fearless defensive player who has had a major impact in keeping the teams ‘goals against’ down throughout the season.

Kiara Suey: A fast and skilful midfielder who has been a consistently strong and determined team member. Her speed and stick skills and ability to turn and defend provide the team with a strong and adaptable player in the centre of the field.

Red Lion’s Corey Guse (right) shoots at goal. Picture: Kevin Farmer

A1 Men

Red Lion

Ryan Bidgood: Important to team with assisting attack and helping transition from defence. Corey Guse: Links well with attacking line to create opportunities for team and scores the big goals when needed.

Norths

Liam Brown: Has displayed fantastic leadership and experience this year and has been one of the teams best performers.

Carter Mogg: Has grown into the role of team captain. It’s no coincidence that the team’s improved performances have coincided with his move to the striker line.

Carter Mogg (right) in action for Norths.

Erin McCurley Ault (left) takes possession for Past High. Picture: Nev Madsen.

A1 Women

Past High

Savannah Trapp: A crucial part of our striking line that is lethal anywhere in the attacking circle. The competition’s leading goal scorer.

Erin McCurley Ault: The team’s general who offers a calming influence and expertly directs our players all around the pitch. Always leads by example with an amazing work rate.

Newtown

Aimee Doveton: Aimee holds the middle and will a key player to distribute the ball to our speedsters upfront.

Emma Bradbury: Give us stability and confidence thru moving the ball forward out of defence to parts of the field we want to play in.

Masters 1 (Over 34s mixed comp)

Newtown Orange

Aaron Kenealy: Never gives up, unselfish team player.

Samantha Richards: Goal scoring machine and plays hard. 

Rangeville Red

Greg Uys: A game changer who plays with speed and flair, can create opportunities from nothing.

Jamie Murdoch: A welcome return to the game after many years on the sidelines, Jamie’s skills upfront are vital.

Masters 2 (Over 34s mixed comp)

Past High

Donna Abbott: A dependable and strategic player, always positioned perfectly, with a remarkable ability to deliver precise, one-time hits that consistently find the goal.

Donnie Costigan: Whether playing goalkeeper or as a fullback, Donnie is a rock-solid defender who proves to be a difficult player to get around. Always gives his whole every game he plays.

Past High Hawks

Pat Collins: Our cheerful goalkeeper who keeps the whole team in check, managing to save some incredible goals over the season.

Deb Cook: A commanding presence in the centre of the field, consistently delivering strong performances in both attack and defence every week.