Finals fever to hit Perth Hockey Stadium this weekend

Photo: Mikaela Zuiderduyn/ zed.portfolios

Finishing with a minor premiership may be a notable feat, but for the Victoria Park women and the Melville men, the ultimate goal is much bigger, finishing with the 2021 All Flags Premier League premiership. 

After a strong start to the season for Victoria Park and Melville, the final weeks of the home-and-away season saw a hustle to finish atop the ladder for both sides. 

The standings finished extremely close, with just one point separating first and second on the ladder, in both the men's and women's All Flags Premier League competitions. 

Top spot for Melville means a break this weekend while the qualification and elimination finals take place, with Reds and University of WA playing off for a spot against the top side in the second semi-final next Wednesday evening. 

Melville skipper Tim Geers says his side is looking forward to a shot at redemption after their last finals effort.

"We were in this position a few years ago, and we went out in straight sets," Geers said. 

"The competition is about to change with all the Australian players coming back, which is an exciting addition that takes it to another level.

"The plan for us is to train as hard as we can, and getting some match simulation this weekend, as well as studying up on the team we could be playing on Wednesday night."

The elimination final will see Victoria Park and Westside Wolves play off to retain a spot in this year's finals series, the winner set to play the loser of the Reds v UWA clash. 

In a double-header clash the Victoria Park women's side will also play Wolves for a spot in the big dance, the women's finals format meaning the winner of this weekend's match will have a break until Grand Final day on September 18.

Victoria Park star player Renee Rockliff says the side is looking to defeat Wolves for the first time this year, the addition of their Hockeyroos a huge benefit. 

"Wolves are always a tough opponent, but we'll keep playing our game," Rockliff said. 

"We have been attacking well, and getting Georgia (Wilson) , Jane (Claxton), Laura (Barden), Aleisha (Power) and Karri (Somerville) back is great for us. 

"We had a rest week last week, and had a team dinner and bonding session, and then this week we've had a really good hit out.

"A game against the men on Thursday evening will be a good trial before the final on Sunday."

The other match in the women's All Flags Premier League will be played between University of WA and Hale, the latter looking to regain its form after a nervous few weeks leading into finals.

See the full finals schedule here, and the All Flags Premier League results and standings here. 

This weekend...

Saturday, September 4

Men's Qualification Final (2v3)

Reds vs University of WA

12:30 - Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University

Men's Elimination Final (4v5)

Victoria Park vs Westside Wolves

14:15 - Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University

Sunday, September 5

Semi-Final 2 (1v2)

Victoria Park vs Westside Wolves 

14:15 - Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University

Semi-Final 1 (3v4)

University of WA vs Hale

16:00 - Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University