Premier League Preview

It will be tough to split Hockey WA’s Premier League Match of the Round (Men) teams this Sunday, as second-placed Melville City Hockey Club welcome third-placed Westside Wolves to Pulse Property Group stadium.

Both sides go in with a 6-1-2 record, the opportunity to take outright second on the table.

For Melville coach Craig Wilson, this next challenge will come on the heels of a difficult 4-3 loss to ladder leaders Reds Hockey Club last week.

“We’ve played some really good hockey against very good opposition,” said Wilson.

“The boys showed last week they can weather the storm and we need to ensure we take our chances when they present themselves.”

Melville welcome Kookaburra Lachlan Sharp back into the fold after his two week quarantine period from New South Wales.

A nucleus of players have stood out for the boys in maroon, including goalkeeper Andrew Charter, the Tate brothers and perennial penalty corner threat, James Day.

For Wolves, this game begins a tough three game stretch that includes Melville, UWA Hockey Club and YMCC Hockey Club.

Wolves head coach Mark Keating said the key to netting some points in these games would come down to accountability and the playing sticking to their roles

“Our focus for 2020 has been playing more consistently in defence and playing with intent,” said Keating.

“The team has responded really well post-COVID and we’re looking forward to the next stretch against quality opposition.”

Wolves captain Simon Benetti will miss the Melville fixture with a shoulder injury, the leadership duty to be picked up across the team including keeper George McGeoch, Dane Gavranich and Kookaburra Jake Harvie.

“Harvie has been a Wolves stalwart and he knows the guys well,” said Keating.

Melville City Hockey Club v Westside Wolves, 4.00pm Sunday 16 August, Pulse Property Group Stadium

Hockey WA’s Premier League Match of the Round (Women) will see an inner-east battle reignite as first-placed Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club take on third-placed Curtin University Hockey Club at Perth Hockey Stadium @ Curtin University.

The Panthers ultra-attacking strategy has paid dividends for Head Coach Phil Hulbert and his squad, scoring an average of 3.4 goals per game and six wins from seven games in the 2020 season.

“It’s been a great start to the year, but I’m most impressed with the girls’ willingness to try different things,” said Hulbert.

Having home grown talent in Hockeyroos Georgia Wilson and Karri Sommerville available for most games has helped, but Hulbert said it was difficult to pinpoint stand out players.

“Each week we have a different player making a difference,” Hulbert said.

“From fringe players to our Hockeyroo talent, we have the buy in from the entire playing group.”

For Curtin University’s player-coach Kate Denning, this week’s game will be a stern test of unique structural changes in the off-season.

“We play much more zonal than other teams in the Premier League, who utilise a more personal marking press,” said Denning.

“We have played a lot more defensively minded in 2020 and it will be a good test against the best attacking team in the competition.”

It certainly helps that Rachael Lynch is padding up for CUHC, the best goalkeeper in the world.

CUHC are no slouch up front either, scoring 17 goals from their seven outings, including seven from defender-turned-striker, Penny Squibb.

“Penny has traditionally been a defender for us but can play anywhere on the field,” said Denning.

“Her move to striker has given us more seniority to the front line and really helped our other strikers like Chantelle Ciallella.”

Curtin University Hockey Club v Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club, 3.30pm Sunday 16 August, Perth Hockey Stadium @ Curtin University