Breakers, Suns claim 2021 Ric Charlesworth Classic women's and men's championships

The 2021 Ric Charlesworth Classic has finished in thrilling fashion after stunning results wow the Perth Hockey Stadium crowd.

After narrowly missing the 2020 Grand Final due to goal difference, the women’s Breakers came back with a point to prove and dominated the Outbacks to win 4-1.

An extremely intense match in the first half, with both sides unable to break away; the Outbacks scored the first and went in to half-time 1-0 up over the Breakers and looked likely to be able to pull away.

After half time, the Breakers piled on goals in quick succession and the Outbacks had no answers for the side.

The Breakers completely dominated the second half and played the majority of the game in their front half, led by captain Line Malan.

The win sees the Breakers claim their first tournament championship in stunning fashion with the Outbacks looking to be the outright favourite going in to this year’s tournament.

The men’s competition’s battle for gold medals ending in a shootout - ultimately giving the Suns a nail-biting championships victory after finishing regular time 2-all.

The Suns, led by Thundersticks star Tim Geers, held the ascendency for much of the match before a determined Outbacks claimed a late goal to send the match into one-on-ones.

Strong performances from Geers, Ollie Higgins, Dane Gavranich and Alec Rasmussen ultimately helped seal the title for the Suns, who themselves had strong performances from the likes of Liam Flynn, James Collins and Tom Harvie.

The victory is the Suns’ second Ric Charlesworth Classic triumph, following their gold-medal performance in the competition’s inaugural season in 2020. The match also featured the duel of legendary players-turned-coaches, with Chris Ciriello’s Suns ultimately pipping Jamie Dwyer’s Outbacks.

The Suns claim the 2021 Ric Charlesworth Classic Bronze Medal after not winning a game until round 3, with two wins concluding their tournament run in style.

Shanea Tonkin starred for the Suns and lead them towards victory scoring two goals in quick succession, all but sinking the Highlanders.

The Breakers claimed the bronze medal in the men’s competition, beating the Highlanders who were the winners in their original round one clash five-to-nil

Young Breaker Chaz Davies starred and put on a clinic – scoring a hat-trick and leading the Breakers towards victory.

RESULTS

Women’s Suns 3 def. Highlanders 1

Goals

Suns - Shanea Tonkin (29') (30+'), Elly Buckley (40')

Highlanders - Savannah Fitzpatrick (54')

Men’s Breakers 5 def. Highlanders 1

Goals

Breakers - Kyle Pinto (22'), Chaz Davies (45') (49') (59'), Tom Keating (48')

Highlanders - James Day (18')

Women’s Breakers 4 def. Outbacks 1

Goals

Breakers - Rebecca Greiner (36'), Line Malan (45'), Kim Leiper (53'), Fiona Cock (54')

Outbacks - Caitlin Mundy (15')

Men’s Suns 2 def. Outbacks 2 (3-1 SO)

Goals

Suns - William Battistessa (21'), Tarrant Haami-Jones (24')

Outbacks - Liam Flynn (30'), Miyu Tanimitsu (58')