Premier League Hockey sides face test of depth with top youths away at national championships

Coaches were forced to dig deep into their talent pools to fill the gaps left by the state’s best young players. WATCH THE PREMIER LEAGUE HOCKEY REPLAYS >>

WITH Tasmanian underage sides competing in Launceston and Bathurst, the women’s Premier League hockey competition is set for some unexpected results in round four.

DiamondBacks will be missing stars Cami Vaughn, Nicole Geeves, Madison Clarke and Sophie Kruimink for their 6.30pm clash with University on Friday.

Watch the North West Graduates v Derwent men’s replay in the player above and the North West Graduates v Derwent women’s replay below.

Maroons coach Rowan Bridley has called up Jac Ross in goals, alongside Stella Bale and admits he will be forced to make a few positional changes to counter the Students’ threats.

Forwards Maddy Hinton and Amy Chamberlain will loom as the dangers if University are to spring a surprise.

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Second position meets third at noon on Saturday with North West Graduates and Derwent both locked on six points and seeking clear air inside the top two.

Derwent coach Keegan Popowski has lost Eliza Westland as well as his state representatives but puts down their improvement to the growth in the Strikers’ young brigade.

“Our squad is quite different to last year and while we are still a young team, they have had a big preseason plus worked hard with the Tigers Academy. Their growth alone has helped us take steps forward, not to mention the return of an experienced duo,” Popowski said.

“North West have some good ball runners down the spine so they may be more suited to the openness of our game style and this could be just as exciting as last week’s game versus OHA.”

University’s Maddy Hinton looms as one of the danger players for the Students. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Fresh off the back of their first win since 2019, Canterbury will meet top-of-the-table OHA from 3pm with renewed confidence and hope.

The Ships will be missing a host of young stars, while the Lions have been able to include Ione Patten, Amy Enkelaar and Chloe Abel.

“We are looking to keep building on the momentum of our first three rounds and hopefully take advantage of the players out for OHA,” Lions coach Jessica Blake said.

“They are still a formidable opponent even with them out, but it will be a great next step in our challenge to grow as a group.”

High-flying Strikers to test rebounding Grads

LAST year’s premiers North West Graduates will go up against 2019 title winner Derwent in the men’s Premier League hockey match of the round from 1.30pm on Saturday.

Graduates were stunned 3-1 by Canterbury before the Easter break and will be out to reassert themselves against a high-flying Derwent side that has started the season with a 3-0 record.

The loss has ensured Graduates sit on six points, locked together with OHA and Canterbury with Derwent a further game clear of that pack.

“At this stage of the season, the concentration is on how we play, our energy and effort,” Graduates coach Rod Clifford said.

“We need to continue to work on developing our basic skills and capitalising on opportunities.”

The Strikers have found the net with regularity so far this season, registering 15 goals from the opening three rounds, with Paul Ancher and Angus Boulton both on four goals.

In Friday night’s action, University and DiamondBacks will both go in search of their first points of the season when they meet at 8pm. Both sides will be tested for depth, leaving their experienced stars to carry a greater load, including DiamondBacks pair Grant Woodcock and Stuart Smith, along with University’s Ben Read and James Dick.

Saturday’s clash between OHA and Canterbury from 4.30pm presents an intriguing contest, as father-son duo David and Kurt Budgeon go up against their old club.

David stepped down from coaching the Lions after three years at the helm to take up a coaching position with the Ships, with Tigers forward Kurt also making the move across.

The Lions will be without six under-18 Tasmanian representatives, putting OHA in the box seat to take the chocolates if Budgeon and fellow forward Sam McCambridge can fire.