Tasmanian Premier League hockey: Women’s finals set for thrilling series

The women’s title in the Tasmanian Premier League is set to be a closely contested series. OHA and North West Grads face off in a key semi-final.

The women’s Premier League is set for a thrilling conclusion with semi-finals beginning Saturday and a wide open title race.

Minor premiers North-West Graduates will face OHA from 2pm Saturday seeking direct entry into the grand final on October 17, with all the action covered by an exclusive live stream available to all Mercury subscribers.

WATCH THE GAME LIVE FROM 2PM

The match presents itself as a battle of contrasting styles with the Graduates’ disciplined defensive structure pitted against the free-flowing OHA front half.

Graduates’ backline has conceded just six goals in their past 13 matches, earning eight clean sheets in the process.

Hockey, Jean Flanagan (OHA) and Louisa Jacobson (NWG) will face off at the Hockey Centre from 2pm. Picture: Chris Kidd

Key among that run of miserly defence was a 1-0 win against OHA in round seven, before a 2-2 draw between the pair in round 12.

Indeed, OHA has been the only side to score freely against them, with a 3-1 Ships win coming in round two after the competition’s restart.

The Ships possess multiple avenues to goal en route to scoring notching 56 from 15 matches, led by Julia Gunn (11 goals), Sofie McLeod (8), Maddi Brooks (7) and Sarah McCambridge (6).

“OHA are obviously our toughest opponent but I back all of our team to step up in big games as they have done all year,” Graduates coach Josh Mardell said.

“A win would be the best scenario, but we’ve just got to take it game by game and not get ahead of ourselves.”

REWATCH THE JUNIOR HOCKEY FINALS:

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OHA coach Sam McCambridge has labelled Sofie McLeod as the team’s “big game” player, capable of tearing the game open and has recalled Nellie Paynter and Torie Fish to the squad.

“North-West are a quality side and it will be a tight tussle all game, with players like Grace Calvert and Louisa Jacobson the game makers for them,” McCambridge said.

“We will go into Saturday’s game with a bit of extra emotion as its one year since we lost our amazing teammate Liv Sproule.”

“She has never been far from anyone’s minds, especially at this time of year and we will be wearing yellow armbands as yellow is the colour for Rare Cancers Australia.”

The match will be preceded by the Elimination Final between Defending Champions Derwent and Diamondbacks from 12 noon.