Rival coaches predict how hockey deciders will play out
It all comes down to four teams in the Premier League Hockey season. Rival coaches have had their say on where the game will be won and lost.
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The Hockey Premier League’s grand finals will be played this weekend.
Rival teams spoke to Adam Clifford about where the game’s will be won.
MEN’S PREVIEW
After a nervous wait, Kookaburras forward Jack Welch has confirmed he will lead the DiamondBacks’ forward line as they seek to end a 46-year title hoodoo against minor premiers Canterbury in the men’s Premier League at 3pm on Saturday.
Welch hasn’t played in the past three weeks as he raced the clock to return from a calf injury that saw him miss Fremantle Hockey Club’s finals series in the Perth club competition.
“It’s been tough having to sit on the sidelines and watch, so I’m now super excited to get out there and play,” Welch said.
“There is a lot of excitement around the club and among the boys and I can tell there is a lot of motivation to end the flagless drought.
“With such a young, talented group I’m hoping this weekend will be the start of a number of successful years.”
Welch’s return, alongside fellow Kookaburras Josh and Hayden Beltz, has several Premier League players highly confident that DiamondBacks can create a historic moment for Maroons coach Ilene Carr – becoming the first female to coach a men’s premiership
Graduates’ George Wilkinson (4-0) and OHA’s Sam McCambridge (6-2) both predicted four goal victories, while North-West’s Alistair White, Oliver Stebbings and University’s Keen Johnson all tipped 4-1 score lines.
“Canterbury has had a great defence all season, but I think DiamondBacks have too many weapons that will be hard to stop,” White said.
McCambridge added: “You can’t go past the three Kookaburras into a side that finished in second place without them, so while I’m hoping for a closer scoreline I just can’t see it happening.”
University’s Oscar Sproule (3-1) and Graduates’ Julian Vittorio (2-1) were others to predict DiamondBacks’ success, with the former gazing deep into his crystal.
“Josh Beltz, Jack and Oli Pritchard will shut down the game with penalty corners being the difference, with Canterbury scoring a late penalty corner rebound,” Sproule said.
“Oli Pritchard will be best on with a penalty corner variation goal, with the other two goals for Jack Welch.”
Derwent pair Ewan Vickery and Linden McCarthy were the only ones to buck the trend, tipping Canterbury to secure a 3-2 and 2-1 win respectively.
“After losing to DiamondBacks their last two matches, Canterbury know what they are up against and what they need to do to get the job done,” Vickery said.
“Canterbury have had recent success and see themselves in grand finals, so I think they have an edge with the experience in this situation.”
WOMEN’S PREVIEW
After three consecutive wins, DiamondBacks will start heavy favourites to claim their first women’s Premier League title in 20 years when they tackle University at 1:15pm on Saturday, according to Premier League opponents.
DiamondBacks qualified for direct entry with a strong 2-1 victory over the minor premiers in the semi-final, and coach Vanessa McDonald has recalled midfielder Lauren Canning to bolster their hopes.
They will face a University side which has already exceeded expectations in claiming the minor premiership and pre-season cup, after they defeated North-West Graduates 2-1 in the preliminary final.
Graduates’ Grace Calvert was the most convinced Premier League opponent, predicting DiamondBacks will emerge victorious on Saturday to the tune of a 3-1 scoreline.
“With the finals experience of Em Donovan and Nicole Geeves, it’s obvious the desire to win a grand final is there for DiamondBacks and they have key players in each line creating a nice balance,” Calvert said.
“I am unsure University will be able to keep calm under pressure with such a young squad and the controversial tactics of the Argentinian imports.”
OHA’s Julia Gunn (2-1), Grads Lucy McMullen (3-2) and Derwent coach Dale Punshon (3-2) were others to back DiamondBacks to lift the trophy.
“If DiamondBacks don’t play a solid defensive game and let Uni’s strikers off the chain, it could get ugly but likewise, if Uni let DiamondBacks control the middle of the park, then they will struggle to keep them out of the circle,” Punshon said.
Canterbury’s Maddy Curtis, Grads Premier League MVP Louisa Jacobson and Derwent’s Emma O’Grady all selected DiamondBacks to claim a penalty shootout victory.
“It’s a hard one because both teams have a strong, fast midfield which will be a great battle all day, but I think DiamondBacks’ finals experience will get them in the shootouts,” Jacobson said.
Curtis added: “DiamondBacks have the added motivation of losing in the 2023 Grand Final and some dangerous goal scorers, as demonstrated in their 9-1 win over Uni in round eighteen which gives them the upper hand.”
But University wasn’t without support with Canterbury’s Jemma Kenworthy siding with the apparent underdogs in a high-scoring affair.
“I reckon Uni win 4-3 and there’ll be lots of goals, but I think University has the speed over DiamondBacks,” Kenworthy predicted.
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