Every player and coach movement in the Premier League
See this year’s rising stars Tassie’s hockey Premier League plus the coaches’ takes pre-season, and our resident hockey expert’s predictions. Matches tee off this weekend – see how to stream live >>
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NORTH-WEST Graduates claimed the men’s 2020 Premier League title, sending off coach Stephen McMullen, manager Justin Bessell and star forward Marcus Richardson in perfect fashion.
The defending champions distinct style of controlled possession will be tested with six changes to the side that defeated University 3-0 on grand final day.
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But the finals performances of James Bourke, Jai Walker-Kidd and Gobind Gill point to them being thereabouts when the whips are cracking.
Of the challengers, University may have lost a key pair, but the Students have yet to reach their ceiling, while Derwent have partnered Vaughn Bowen and Josh Mardell to strengthen their midfield creativity.
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The Ships can rise sharply with the inclusion of James Thomas and Kurt Budgeon, while Canterbury have parted ways with former coach David Budgeon, who has since joined OHA too, and all eyes will be on their new coaching trio.
DiamondBacks have continued to invest heavily in their junior academy over the summer break and the time has come for their promise to net results.
Adam Clifford takes a closer look at the sides ahead of Friday’s season start and predicts last season’s grand finalists to both miss the top two.
After huge success in covering last year’s finals series, the Mercury will livestream two matches per weekend throughout the Premier League season exclusively for its subscribers.
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North-West Graduates
Last season: First
Coach: Rodney Clifford
Captains: James Bourke, Alistair White, Gobind Gill
Key Ins: Harry Hughes
Key Outs: Matt Lim, Alex Shaw, Ollie Arnold, George Wilkinson, Marcus Richardson, Aiden van Staden
Rising star: Harvey Bessell
Coach Clifford says: “With the departure of a significant number of players from last years premiership squad, 2021 shapes as a rebuild for the Bulldogs.
“It will be a season of opportunities for the younger players in what we expect to be a close competition.”
Adam says: “Had too much class for their opponents in 2020 but player losses place a significant burden on their ability to score.
“Gill looks to have risen a level and this could be his last season of regular local action, before he rises to the Kookaburras ranks.”
Predicted finish: Third
University
Last season: Second
Coach: Ben Read
Captain: TBA
Key Ins: Nil
Key Outs: Josh Brooks, Paul Ancher, Jordan Watson
Rising star: Tyler McDonald
Coach Read says: “With a couple of players leaving us from last year, it provides a real opportunity for the younger guys to step up and take on bigger roles.
“Tyler McDonald and Ashby Bingham have been ripping it up on the training ground and I’m expecting big things from them this year.”
Adam says: “The side no-one likes to meet in finals will again be around the mark, particularly with a fitter James Dick and more experienced Tyler McDonald.
“Led OHA 3-0 in a recent practise match which is evidence they have had a strong pre-season.”
Predicted finish: Fourth
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Derwent
Last season: Third
Coach: Nathan Fitzpatrick
Captains: Vaughn Bowen, Linden McCarthy
Key Ins: Paul Ancher
Key Outs: Torin Bester
Rising star: Reuben Hoey
Coach Fitzpatrick says: “Really pleased to have Paul Ancher return to the club this year and I am excited by some younger players who will likely feature heavily throughout the year, such as Reuben Hoey and Sam Colrain.
“Large squad numbers mean we have huge internal competition for positions.”
Adam says: “Early season title favourites but will know all too well that doesn’t count for much after last year’s challenge petered out.
“If Ewan Vickery, Linden McCarthy and Vaughn Bowen can have career best seasons, September will be a sea of Navy Blue.”
Predicted finish: First
OHA
Last season: Fourth
Coaches: Nick Leslie; David Budgeon
Captain: Sam Keating
Key Ins: Kurt Budgeon, James Thomas
Key Outs: Nicholas Spandler, Will Boyce, Alex Moir
Rising star: Jayden Vince
Coach Leslie says: “Great to have someone like David Budgeon join our coaching staff and having Kurt join our forward line.
“Nothing much will change about the way we go about it. We still look to play attractive free flowing hockey and be very aggressive.”
Adam says: “Can quickly hoist themselves into title calculations if Budgeon and Thomas feature regularly.
“Had a horror run with injuries in 2020 that disguised the improvements made across the squad, but will still rely on Sam McCambridge’s goals and Ollie Smith’s penetration.”
Predicted finish: Second
Canterbury
Last season: Fifth
Coaches: Ian McHugh, Brenton Watson, Craig Donovan
Captain: Sam McCulloch
Key Ins: Aaron Lougoon
Key Outs: Alan Dale, Jamie Hullick, Angus Yeates
Rising star: Luc Redman
Coach Donovan says: “Our philosophy is best demonstrated by this story – Three men walked into a bar, the first said ‘let’s have the patience of the Dalai Lama’, the second said ‘let’s be as mad a tree full of galahs’ and the third said ‘let’s be like bees to the honey pot’.”
Adam says: “Failed to build on 2019’s finals appearance and have consequently shuffled the coaching hierarchy.
“Their tough defensive brand coupled with aggressive ball running make for an entertaining watch.”
Predicted finish: Fifth
DiamondBacks
Last season: Sixth
Coach: Richard Davies
Captain: Stuart Smith
Key Ins: Angus Yeates
Key Outs: Richard Shelverton
Rising star: Oli Pritchard
Coach says: “This is a very exciting season for us – after a year under their belts, this young group have grown mentally and physically and are looking to challenge for playoff spots this year.”
Adam says: “For the first time since their 2016 Preliminary Final appearance, a blanket of optimism has been thrown across their senior men’s squad.
“Yeates’ return is a further plus and with the expertise of Woodcock in goals, you sense the Rattle Snakes will spring plenty of surprises.”
Predicted finish: Sixth
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