How to watch Tasmania’s Premier League hockey competition live

Hockey’s Premier League returns with a bang, with the DiamondBacks out to exact revenge against defending champions OHA after narrowly falling 1-0 in last year’s women’s decider. How to watch >>

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HOCKEY’S Premier League returns with a bang, with the DiamondBacks out to exact revenge against defending champions OHA after narrowly falling 1-0 in last year’s women’s decider.

WATCH TODAY’S MATCHES LIVE AT 1.30PM AND 3.30PM >>

DiamondBacks coach Rowan Bridley said ahead of today’s 1.30pm clash that the competition had tightened up since 2020, with the premiership likely to be a three-horse race.

“I think the top three will be as per last year with OHA, NWG and DiamondBacks, while Derwent will be the dark horse of the competition as I’m waiting to see which players have made a comeback,” Bridley said.

“Canterbury and University have made a lot of inroads and will be fighting to get into the top four.”

Bridley has been excited by the recruitment of forward Sophie Shirley, daughter of hockey stalwart Damien, while Kara Gill has impressed on the training track after having a baby in 2020.

Philly Bridley chased by Jean Flanagan in the DiamonBacks v OHA hockey match at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre, New Town. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“Our juniors have been training very well and people will see some new names throughout the year,” Bridley said.

Opponents Evie Dalton (OHA goalkeeper) and Philly Bridley (DiamondBacks co-captain) will face each other, before heading to Australia’s Junior World Cup selection camp at the AIS on Sunday.

WATCH TODAY’S MATCHES LIVE AT 1.30PM AND 3.30PM >>

The men’s grand final replay pushes back at 3pm, with titleholders North-West Graduates out to fill the void of losing six premiership stars.

Graduates midfielder Gobind Gill and teammates James Bourke and Jai Walker-Kidd will hold the key, particularly after Walker-Kidd’s brace in the decider.

University will venture out without Josh Brooks and Paul Ancher and will be aiming to give key penalty corner specialists Ben Read and Tyler McDonald plenty of looks at the goal.

North-West Graduates women will enter as warm favourites to bank three points against University from 4:30pm, while OHA men will similarly be expecting to start well when they meet DiamondBacks from noon.

Today, both men’s and women’s grand final replays across this afternoon will be live streamed exclusively for Mercury subscribers.