Players to watch in the Mercury’s livestream of the junior hockey club grand finals
Tasmania’s next Eddie Ockenden or Bianca Langham will be on display as finals fever continues tonight with the U13 boys and girls hockey grand finals set to be hotly contested affairs. SCHEDULE + HOW TO WATCH >>
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TASMANIA’S next Eddie Ockenden or Bianca Langham will be on display as finals fever continues tonight with the under thirteen boys and girls hockey grand finals set to be hotly contested affairs.
From 6pm tonight, University and DiamondBacks girls’ sides will open the live stream with little separating the pair through the season.
WATCH TONIGHT’S MATCHES LIVE FROM 5.30PM >>
DiamondBacks finished the nine-game season as minor premiers with a commanding record of 32 goals scored and two goals conceded.
Wilhelmina Fish had a standout season, scoring 17 goals but crucially went goalless against University on August 21.
“The team has had a great session, with strong performances from Fish, van Dorsselear in midfield and Rosie Pelham upfront,” DiamondBacks coach Skye Lawler said.
“In recent weeks we have pushed Fish further afield as she has great attacking pressure.
“The girls are excited for the grand final and will need to continue to play as a team and move the ball around.”
On their only face off, the Students claimed the spoils with a round five 1-0 victory with Harriet Sproule scoring the winner.
University coach Andrew Groom has a squad brimming with famous University Hockey Club surnames including Bingham, Boyles, Sproule, Burgess and Close.
“That 1-0 win last time against DiamondBacks was a really tough games and our goalie Lucy Anders played exceptionally well,” Groom recalled.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
U/13 BOYS DIVISION ONE
Ben Sargent (OHA) – Don’t be deceived as this little pocket rocket packs a huge punch and is incredibly dangerous upfront. Stems from famous OHA bloodlines and looks a future star in the making.
Angus McMullen (NWG) – Still with another year at this level, the central midfielder positions himself perfectly to intercept possession, has great elimination skills and a fierce penalty corner strike.
Jack Woodberry (OHA) – Positioning himself at centre half, he is absolutely key to OHA’s ability to transition from defence into attack with his strong ball running, great vision and incisive passing.
U13 GIRLS
Wilhelmina Fish (DBACKS) – Aged just eleven years but blessed with the speed and agility to have a big career. Impressed in the U/15 grand final and capable of scoring from anywhere in the attacking circle.
Lucy Groom (UNI) – No relation to coach Andrew but this defensive rising star is a fantastic tackler blessed with plenty of speed. Groom has improved her ability to read and influence the play rapidly.
Wavey van Dorsselaer (DBACKS) – A state representative, the midfielder loves to get busy and impose herself on contests around the ground. Expect to see leading her younger teammates with aplomb.
“They’ve obviously finished top of the ladder, but we’ve improved a lot over the course of the season and the girls are super excited about the challenge.”
Audrey Bullard has been University’s main goal scorer with four goals.
The state’s two largest hockey club’s OHA and North-West Graduates will renew rivalries in the boy’s division one final from 7.30pm, with the latter finishing top of the ladder.
Both sides will wear armbands and observe a minute’s silence before the match, in celebration and remembrance of Graduates U/13 player Kaisei O’Keefe, who tragically passed away recently.
Graduates team manager Paul Ashby saw his side defeat OHA 3-1 in the opening round back in July, before OHA turned the tables 3-0 on August 14.
“We have a young group with eleven players still eligible next year, but this group have improved under coach Derek Zwart and we have a great respect for OHA as an opposition side,” Ashby said.
“The team has shown great maturity over the last week, dealing with the loss of a teammate, and will take to the ground with Kai in mind.”
“Our focus will be on quick ball movement and team play, in what should be a closely contested game.”
OHA’s main avenue to goal has been Sam Murray (eight goals for season) but the goal machine will miss with injury, while young Ben Sargent is appropriately regarded as a huge talent for the future.
The U/13 boys’ division two grand final will also commence at 7.30pm, with minor premiers Canterbury facing University.
From 6pm, DiamondBacks Maroon and Derwent have progressed out of the nine-team mixed U/10s competition to the grand final.
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