2600 strong crowd turn up to support Tasmania’s under-18 hockey side before win

A hat-trick from captain Max Johnstone has guided Tasmania’s under-18 hockey side to achieve the previously impossible – clinching a history making national title defeating Queensland in front of 2600 supporters in Hobart. WATCH >

A hat-trick from captain Max Johnstone has guided Tasmania’s under-18 hockey side to achieve the previously impossible – clinching a history making national title with a 5-2 defeat of Queensland in front of 2600 supporters in Hobart.

In doing so, the side claimed state’s first ever U18 boys’ gold medal and became the first Tasmanian side to emerge with a perfect winning record.

For co-coaches Ben Read and Tim Strapp, the victory was yet another title-winning feather in their caps but the pair were quick to credit the playing group.

“That was just the perfect end to a perfect week. These boys have worked so hard to get to this position and to win the final convincingly is just reward for everything they have put into it,” Read said.

“This team is full of genuine superstars and have big futures, but they’re also superstars that despite their brilliance, always put the team first.”

Under 18 Hockey Final at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre. Tasmania vs Queensland. Picture: Linda Higginson

“Further, the culture in this team was the best I’ve ever worked with, with so many players scoring lots of goals and yet the team always came first.”

“To think that this group now become the first ever Tasmanian side to win the U18 nationals and the first ever Tasmanian Invincibles team.”

“I honestly couldn’t think of a more deserving group of guys and I have so much love for them at the moment for the brand of hockey they’ve played and the way they’ve come together as one this week.”

Tasmania got the perfect start when Oliver Stebbings hammered home a penalty corner rebound to settle any nerves after just five minutes.

Queensland struck back through Cody Hale in the seventh minute before Tasmania wrestled back control.

Two penalty corner flicks from skipper Max Johnstone in the second term placed Tasmania in the box seat and when he returned to power his hat-trick into the top right-hand corner after 45 minutes, the hosts had one hand on the national title.

Queensland fought back through tournament leading scorer Matthew Hawthorne neat flick, but when he was sent from the field with five minutes to play Tasmania had it won.

Under 18 Hockey Final at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre. Tasmania vs Queensland. Tasmania celebrate. Picture: Linda Higginson

A brilliant driving run and tomahawk finish from Oscar Sproule kickstarted the party celebrations moments before the siren sounded to cap a famous victory.

Tasmania ended the tournament with a record of seven wins, with no result being closer than a two-goal margin.

Defender Stebbings, 16, capped an unforgettable tournament with the Player of the Tournament award, while teammates Oscar Sproule and Johnstone finished second and third on the leading goal scorer charts respectively.

South Australia fought back from 2-0 down to clinch the bronze medal with a 4-3 defeat of Western Australia.

In the women’s final, a diving goal from Queensland’s Jaime-Lee Surha in the final 30 seconds clinched a narrow 1-0 final win against a gallant Victoria.

Western Australia claimed a 3-2 penalty shootout win against New South Wales to secure the girl’s bronze medal, with Tasmania’s team finishing ninth out of 12 teams.