Brisbane Blaze scorch Perth Thundersticks in dynamic contests

The Perth Thundersticks' women's side will find themselves up against the Brisbane Blaze for the second time in as many weeks in next Saturday's semi-finals, while the men's team's season has come to an end.

MEN'S

The Perth Thundersticks’ quest for gold has come to an end in a tale of two halves, going down to the formidable Brisbane Blaze 5-1, missing out on punching their ticket to Canberra.

The Perth Thundersticks had one last chance to storm their way into the finals in a do-or-die contest against the Brisbane Blaze at Queensland State Hockey Centre on Sunday 19 November.

Despite having a quick start with the likes of Aran Zalewski and Matt Bird driving the ball forward, the Thundersticks found themselves behind the eight-ball as Corey Weyer capitalised off a penalty corner to score for the Blaze.

As the Thundersticks looked to amp up the defensive pressure and respond, they found themselves being dismantled by a smothering defensive approach from the Blaze.

The Blaze continued their perfect start with a further penalty corner goal via Joel Rintala to lead 2-0 at quarter time.

The Thundersticks’ struggle to get the ball forward continued into the second quarter as the Blaze continued to make interception after interception.

As the Blaze looked to extend their lead, goalkeeper Ben Rennie was under pressure, making several fantastic saves early in the period.

Despite having multiple opportunities to score via penalty corners, the Thundersticks struggled to hit the back board.

The Thundersticks found themselves hurting even more as Rintala broke through late to score a field goal and conversion to extend the Blaze’s lead 4-0 by half time.

As the Queensland State Hockey Centre heated up, the gameplay became scrappy during the third period as desperation kicked in for the Thundersticks as they looked to salvage their efforts.

After a few close shots on goal by Will Battistessa and fantastic runs by the likes of Bird and Cam Geddes, penalty corner specialist James Day stepped in to put the Thundersticks on the board.

However, the Blaze held strong to lead 4-1 at the final change.

The final quarter saw the Thundersticks continue to try and make up ground, frantically pushing the ball forward.

Despite throwing everything at the Blaze and putting up a strong fight, a field goal via Diarmid Chappell sealed the Thundersticks’ fate, falling short 5-1 to bring their 2023 campaign to an end.

Following the match, captain Aran Zalewski said while the Thundersticks didn’t capitalise on their chances, they will review for next year.

“I think you have to own your story,” he said.

“We have to understand what went well, what went poorly about the campaign and where’s our growth area.

“We’ll look at that in its entirety and try and take some of that into next season.”


Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 1 (James Day 43')
Brisbane Blaze 5 (Corey Weyer 3', Joel Rintala 13'/30'/30', Diarmid Chappell 56')

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Matt Bird, 2. Will Battistessa, 3. Tim Geers, 4. Jake Harvie, 9. James Day, 11. Tom Harvie, 12. Alistair Murray, 13. Brayden King, 14. Matt Willis, 16. Brodee Foster, 17. Aran Zalewski (C), 18. Ben Rennie (GK), 20. Frank Main, 23. Cam Geddes, 25. Trent Mitton.

Brisbane Blaze team: 1. Will Mathison, 2. Shane Kenny, 3. Corey Weyer, 5. Lucas Brown, 8. Adam Imer, 10. Cale Cramer, 12. Jake Whetton (C), 13. David Hubbarrd, 14. Tyler Gaddes, 16. Tim Howard, 17. Scott Boyde, 21. Max Harding, 24. Diarmid Chappell, 27. Joel Rintgala, 32. Mitchell Nicholson (GK).

WOMEN'S

A fierce contest with plenty of interceptions and dynamic one-on-one contests has seen the Perth Thundersticks fall just short of securing the minor premiership, going down to Brisbane Blaze 6-3.

The Perth Thundersticks looked to head into the JDH Hockey One finals in pole position when they went head-to-head with Brisbane Blaze at Queensland State Hockey Centre on Sunday 19 November.

In what could be considered a finals preview, the Thundersticks were firing out the gate looking to put the pressure on the Blaze in a dynamic contest.

Despite some strong defence from the Thundersticks, the Blaze drew the first blood with a field goal via Stephanie Kershaw, although goalkeeper Lizzy Duguid prevented the conversion.

The Thundersticks would soon respond with a penalty corner goal via Penny Squibb to bring the scores level before the contest reached a stalemate.

After plenty of back and forth, Blaze put themselves in front late with a field goal via Britt Wilkinson.

Duguid showed she was on her A-game, preventing another conversion to leave the scores at 2-1 at quarter time.

The Thundersticks continued putting the pressure on during the second quarter, with Squibb and Duguid working well together to keep the ball out of the net.

However, chances for the Thundersticks to score were few and far between as the Blaze continued to make plenty of interceptions.

Although Rosie Malone broke through to score for the Blaze to extend their lead, Duguid’s brilliant keeping remained on display as she prevented a third conversion to keep the Thundersticks in it.
At half time, the Blaze led 3-1.

The third quarter saw the Blaze start to send a message to the rest of the competition, finding an early field goal via Wilkinson to extend their lead.

As the Thundersticks looked to respond, they struggled to get past the Blaze’s strong defence.

A further field goal and conversion via Savannah Fitzpatrick put the Thundersticks on the ropes, with the Blaze leading 6-1 at three-quarter time.

The final term saw the Thundersticks continue fighting hard to bridge the gap between them and the Blaze, continuing to find themselves under pressure.

Just when it looked as though fatigue was setting in, the Thundersticks gained a pep in their step thanks to a successful field goal and conversion via Lexie Pickering to quickly shave the margin down to three goals.

However, the Blaze held on to win 6-3 and secure top spot on the ladder, with the Thundersticks dropping to fourth place.

The Thundersticks will regroup and turn their attention to Canberra as they get set to go for gold in the JDH Hockey One finals.

They will find themselves up against the Blaze once again in the semi-finals on Saturday 25 November.


Match Details
Perth Thundersticks 3 (Penny Squibb 9', Lexie Pickering 56'/56')
Brisbane Blaze 6 (Stephanie Kershaw 4', Britt Wilkinson 14'/32', Savannah Fitzpatrick 40'/40')

Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Pippa Morgan, 3. Neasa Flynn, 6. Sarah Byrnes, 7. Penny Squibb (C), 8. Georgia Wilson, 9. Shanea Tonkin, 10. Jesse Reid, 12. Liné Malan, 13. Lexie Pickering, 14. Elizabeth Duguid (GK), 15. Bellé Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Renee Rockliff, 19. Georgina Dowd, 24. Britney Desilva.

Brisbane Blaze team: 1. Savannah Fitzpatrick, 2. Ambrosia Malone, 3. Kendra Fitzpatrick, 5. Morgan Gallagher, 8. Dayle Dolkens, 9. Casey Dolkens, 10. Madison Fitzpatrick, 11. Morgan Mathison, 13. Rebecca Greiner, 14. Stephanie Kershaw, 16. Keeley Walker, 17. Camryn Mathison, 21. Emily Kingston (GK), 22. Britt Wilkinson, 30. Georgina West.