Stiles Electrical Premier League Finals Preview

Published Wed 28 Aug 2024

As anticipation builds for the Stiles Electrical Premier League finals this weekend, we are eagerly awaiting to see which teams will rise to the occasion.

Ahead of this weekend’s action, we’ll delve into the journey of each of the Premier League's men's and women's teams that qualified for the finals, exploring the pivotal moments and key victories that paved their way.

From last-minute thrillers to dominant performances, join us as we dissect the paths these elite squads took to secure their spots in the finals and set the stage for an unforgettable showdown.

Men’s

Melville

Melville has had a stellar run in the Stiles Electrical Premier League this season. Following 22 rounds, they sit atop the ladder with a strong record of 17 wins, 2 draws, and only 3 losses. Their impressive performance is highlighted by a goal difference that reflects their dominance on the field, having scored 76 goals while conceding just 24.

James Day has been a standout player for Melville, leading the team in scoring with 25 goals. His notable performances include a five-goal game in Round 2 against Mods-OGM and a hat-trick in their Round 12 rematch against the same team. Other stand-out players include Jake Staines and Ben Staines.

The team is looking to build on their recent successes, having secured back-to-back premierships in 2021 and 2022. Last year, Melville reached the grand final but fell short against Hale, losing 5-0. This time around, they are eager to reclaim their championship status and build on their recent form as they head into the finals.

After claiming the minor premiership, Melville earned an extra week’s rest, bypassing the Qualification and Elimination Finals to book a spot in the Semi Finals taking place on Wednesday 4 September.

Hale

Hale is positioned 2nd on the ladder, showcasing a solid season with 15 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses. Their offensive strength is evident with 83 goals scored, though they've conceded 43.

Despite making just 12 appearances, Liam Flynn has been a standout player for Hale, matching Melville's top scorer with 25 goals of his own. His impressive contributions include a hat-trick in Round 6 against Reds, 4 goals in Round 5 against North Coast Raiders, and a remarkable 5-goal performance in their Round 14 clash with the same team. Other players to have made an impact for Hale this season include Ian Grobbelaar, Sam McCulloch and Hayden Beltz.

Hale is coming off a successful 2023 season, where they clinched their second premiership by defeating Melville 5-0 in the grand final. Despite hitting a slump in form in recent weeks, they will be looking to defend their title and get back to their strong form as they approach this year's finals.

The reigning premiers will begin their premiership defence journey in the Qualifying Final against UWA. Both sides are 1-1 for the 2024 season with Hale pipping UWA at the post 5-4 in Round 8, then UWA defeated Hale 3-2 in Round 21.

UWA

UWA ranked 3rd on the ladder, with a strong season record of 13 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses. They have scored 75 goals during the regular season while conceding 44.

Jaxon Geddes has been UWA's top scorer with 11 goals, including a hat-trick in their Round 4 match against North Coast Raiders. He is closely followed by Chris Ciriello and Harry Golding, each contributing 10 goals to the team's tally.

In 2023, UWA made it to the preliminary final but were defeated by Hale with a 0-4 scoreline. Their last premiership win was in 2017, and they will be looking to make a strong push in this year's finals to capture their first title in several years.

UWA will begin their finals berth with the Qualifying Final against reigning premiers Hale.

Fremantle Cockburn

Fremantle Cockburn finished 4th on the ladder following the regular season, with a record of 11 wins, 6 draws, and 5 losses. Amid many close matches throughout the season, they have scored 53 goals while conceding 34.

Ehren Hazell has been a standout performer for Fremantle Cockburn, leading the team with 24 goals. His impressive season includes a four-goal game in Round 7 against North Coast Raiders, a hat-trick in Round 13 against Westside Wolves, and another hat-trick in Round 14 against WASPS. Other players to make an impact for the Magpies include Dylan Martin, Nick Jennings and Harrison Keymer.

Fremantle Cockburn last appeared in the finals in 2019, where they were knocked out in the Elimination Final by Westside Wolves with a 3-1 defeat. Their most recent premiership was in 2006, when they were known as Fremantle Hockey Club. They will be looking to make a strong impact in this year's finals to recapture their former glory.

The Magpies face an uphill battle towards premiership glory, with their first obstacle being YMCC in the Elimination Final. Back in Round 6, YMCC defeated Fremantle Cockburn 2-0, but the Magpies got one up on YMCC in Round 19 with a 4-1 win.

YMCC

YMCC finished 5th on the ladder with a record of 12 wins and 10 losses, having not recorded any draws this season. Like Fremantle Cockburn, YMCC had many close matches throughout the season, going on to score 54 goals for the regular season and conceding 38.

Jesse Regan has been their top scorer, netting 13 goals throughout the season. YMCC played a crucial role in the final round by defeating Mods-OGM, which had significant implications for the standings, as it prevented WASPS, Reds, and Westside Wolves from making the finals. Other stand-out players for YMCC include Michael Nicoli, Luke Blee and Jacob Anderson.

Their most recent finals appearance was in 2023, where they were knocked out in the Elimination Final by Reds with a 2-3 loss. YMCC last claimed the premiership in 2015, and they are eager to make a strong run in this year's finals to reclaim their former success.

Fresh off the back of their crucial Round 22 win over Mods-OGM last weekend, YMCC will be looking to back up their efforts in the Elimination Final against Fremantle Cockburn.

Women’s

UWA

After 18 games, UWA is leading the women's Stiles Electrical Premier League with an impressive record of 13 wins, 4 draws, and just 1 loss. They have been dominant offensively, scoring 55 goals and conceding only 9 throughout the season.

Lexie Pickering has been a key player for UWA, topping the team’s scoring charts with 14 goals. Her standout performance includes a hat-trick in their Round 20 match against Melville. Other stand-out players include Prada Herron, Bellé Ramshaw, Jessica Butterworth and Matilda Nelson.

In 2023, UWA reached the grand final but faced a heartbreaking loss to Suburban Lions in a dramatic shootout after a 0-0 draw, ending the game 6-7 on penalties. Their last premiership came in 2016, and they will be aiming to secure another title this season and avenge last year's narrow defeat.

UWA will face Westside Wolves in the semi-final where an express pass to the grand final is on the line. The teams previously met last week, ending in a 1-1 draw, and played to a 2-2 draw in Round 11. This semi-final clash promises to be closely contested, with both teams having shown their competitive edge in their earlier encounters.Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Westside Wolves

Westside Wolves are currently 2nd on the ladder in the women's Stiles Electrical Premier League, with a solid record of 10 wins, 6 draws, and 2 losses. They have scored 46 goals and conceded 15 throughout the season.

Elly Buckley has been their top goal scorer with 13 goals, leading the team with her offensive contributions. Other players to have made an impact for the Wolves this season include Ava Fraser-Edwards, Ashlea Fey, Jemma Buckley and Isadora Rakich.

Westside Wolves last featured in the finals in 2022, reaching the grand final but falling to Hale with a narrow 1-2 defeat. Their most recent premiership was in 2019.

The Wolves will start their 2024 finals journey facing UWA in the semi-final.

Suburban Lions

Suburban Lions finished third on the ladder, capping off a strong season record of 11 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses. They have scored 46 goals and conceded 30.

Georgina Dowd has been their leading scorer, netting 11 goals throughout the season. Other stand-out players include Alejandra Palacio, Matilda Banfield and Agueda Moroni.

In 2023, Suburban Lions made a memorable run in the finals, culminating in their first-ever premiership after defeating UWA in a dramatic shootout.

This year, Suburban Lions will face Victoria Park in a sudden-death semi-final. The match promises to be a critical and high stakes encounter as they aim to defend their title and continue their impressive form from last season.

Victoria Park

Victoria Park finished 4th on the ladder, with a record of 11 wins, 2 draws, and 5 losses. They have scored 46 goals and conceded 27 throughout the season.

Beatriz Monger-Molowny has been the team's top scorer, netting 16 goals, including a standout performance with 4 goals in their Round 11 win over Whitford. Other stand-out players include Maddie Fenwick, Rachel Frusher and Georgia Hiskins.

In the 2023 finals, Victoria Park reached the semi-final but were eliminated by Suburban Lions in a tight match that ended 0-0, with Suburban Lions advancing 2-1 in the shootout.

Victoria Park last won the premiership three years ago, completing back-to-back titles in 2020 and 2021. They will face Suburban Lions once again in a sudden-death semi-final, seeking to avenge their previous loss and make a strong push for another championship.

FIXTURES

Stiles Electrical Premier League Finals Week 1

Men’s Qualification & Elimination Finals

Saturday 31 August @ Perth Hockey Stadium

Qualifying Final: Hale vs UWA – 2.15pm

Elimination Final: Fremantle Cockburn vs YMCC – 4.00pm

Women’s Semi Finals

Sunday 1 September @ Perth Hockey Stadium

Semi Final 2: UWA vs Westside Wolves – 2.15pm

Semi Final 1: Suburban Lions vs Victoria Park – 4.00pm