Tasmania’s future hockey stars revealed after national success
After Tasmania’s success at the under-18 national hockey titles, we’ve profiled seven youngsters primed for the big time. Here’s who made the list.
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Tasmania’s under-18 boys hockey side went undefeated across seven games to claim a historic national title in Hobart on Sunday.
The team overpowered Queensland 5-2 in the gold medal match and have been dubbed ‘the Invincibles’ for their extraordinary achievement, guided by off-field team members Ben Read, Tim Strapp and Camilla Winch.
To mark their unprecedented seven consecutive victories, the Mercury has exclusively profiled the top seven Tasmanian players most likely to be identified in a national program after their impressive exploits on the national stage.
Max Johnstone (DBS)
Tasmania’s inspirational captain was named player of the final after scoring a hat-trick of powerful penalty corner flicks. Johnstone’s tireless work rate to present an option and silky stickwork saw him lead by example throughout the tournament.
Finished third on the scoring charts with eight goals for the week, one goal shy of his effort in last year’s championships. A brilliant team man with a big future.
Oliver Stebbings (NWG)
The 16-year-old sensation just rises to every challenge and was justifiably named Player of the Tournament for his exploits propelling Tasmania from deep defence with his aerial prowess and defence-splitting passes.
Scored six goals for the tournament, including a clinical penalty stroke in the grand final.
His underage career is already drawing comparisons to the sharp rise of recent Hockeyroo Maddi Brooks and with a dearth of high-quality defenders entering the Kookaburras program, Stebbings has it all in front of him.
Oscar Sproule (UNI)
Who could forget his brilliant hat-trick in the semi-final win against South Australia. Sproule is often confused for being a relative of former dual-Olympian Daniel, but he carries the famous Tasmanian sporting surname with his own charisma.
Sproule scored an incredible tally of nine goals as a bottom-aged player, with eight of them coming from field goals. Sproule is a strong, skilful forward with a huge ceiling.
Oscar Pritchard (DBS)
The middle son of former Hockeyroo Bianca Langham-Pritchard, Oscar is a strong bodied midfielder that works hard both ways.
Came up huge with some important recovery tackles and gutsy penalty corner defence work but was equally adept to breaking lines with his 3D skills. Some further improvement to his receiving skills in traffic could see Pritchard trek his mother’s footsteps to the national program in future years.
Jack Larkin (NWG)
The younger brother of Australian under-21 goalkeeper Max Larkin, Jack had a coming-of-age tournament in Hobart by conceding just two goals across the entire tournament.
Sharing pitch time with twin brother Henry (yes – there’s three goalkeepers in the same household) who produced some brilliant saves in the gold medal game, Jack caught the eye for his remarkable consistency with both hands and feet in any situation.
Ruben Hoey (DER)
After debuting for the Tassie Tigers in last year’s Hockey One League, Hoey has largely had a consolidation year as his body matures and he draws greater attention from defences.
Was extremely active in Tasmania’s attacking press and produced moments of sheer quality, including earning Tasmania’s first penalty corner in the final when outnumbered on the baseline.
Contributed three goals and was a key part of Tasmania’s unstoppable forward line, despite also battling sickness.
Jack Pritchard (DBS)
The unsung hero of Tasmania’s title win.
The cousin of Oscar produced an unbelievably consistent performance across the tournament, carving out a reputation for his courageous acts in deep defence.
Pritchard protected his goalkeepers with aplomb with tight penalty corner running lines and last-ditch tackling.
He also took his opportunities to get counter-attack forward, including assisting the grand final sealer.
Honourable mentions: Mac Winch, Will Sproule, Oscar Lucas, Henry Larkin, Charlie Rockefeller, Josh Walker, Milo Gee, Sam Meikle, Gabe Harkness, Noah Thomas, George Kitchener.
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