Stiles Electrical Premier League Preliminary Finals Wrap

The stage has been set for what will be an exciting day of Grand Finals after the Stiles Electrical Premier League Preliminary Finals determined the last of the final contenders.

Women’s

Westside Wolves pipped 2023 premiers Suburban Lions 3-2 in extra time to claim the second spot in the Stiles Electrical Premier League Women’s Grand Final in their chase for their first premiership since 2019.

It did not take long for the Wolves to get themselves on the scoreboard during the do-or-die clash at Perth Hockey Stadium on Sunday 8 September, with Isadora Rakich slotting in a field goal during the fourth minute.

Determined not to give up easily, Suburban Lions amped up the pressure in their bid to go for back-to-back premierships, with Georgina Dowd levelling the score with a field goal of her own during the 13^th minute.

The contest was deadlocked throughout the second quarter as both sides went back and forth trying to build a lead.

It wasn’t until the dying stages of the first half that Lions would get up as Ashlee Jarvis scored a field goal to give the Lions the 2-1 lead at the main break.

As intensity picked up, the Wolves would level the scores once again with Greta Hayes scoring off a penalty corner during the 36^th minute.

The match-up would soon become deadlocked once again as both sides engaged in a tug of war for the win throughout the remainder of the third quarter and the entire fourth term, leaving the scores level at 2-2 and forcing extra time.

Both sides continued putting up a hard press during the first five-minute period, but it was a last-gasp penalty corner that would secure the grand final for the Wolves, with Elly Buckley successfully scoring to much fanfare from her teammates and supporters.

Men’s

UWA have held off a determined Fremantle Cockburn outfit to secure the last spot in the Stiles Electrical Premier League Men’s Grand Final as they look to win their first premiership since 2017.

In a feisty contest at Perth Hockey Stadium on Sunday 8 September, both UWA and Fremantle Cockburn were evenly matched throughout the opening term.

As both teams made the charge towards goal, neither side would break through the defences to get on the scoreboard.

It wasn’t until the second quarter where the contest really picked up, with Ehren Hazell breaking through to score the first goal of the evening.

Not wanting to give up easily, UWA responded by capitalising off penalty corners, with Chris Ciriello scoring a hat-trick in the space of six minutes to take the lead 3-1 by half time.

As the Magpies looked to stage a comeback during the third quarter in the form of penalty corners, UWA’s defenders stepped up and took charge of the match to stifle Fremantle Cockburn’s opportunities.

However, Dylan Martin would give the Magpies some hope during the 42^nd minute, scoring off a penalty corner to bring the margin to one goal at the final break.

As quickly as the three-quarter time break was over, UWA extended their lead back to two goals with a rapid penalty corner shot by Cam Geddes during the 46^th minute.

Although the Magpies made a hard press and brought in an extra player in exchange for goalkeeper Ben Rennie, it was not enough to take down UWA, who held strong to win 4-2 and move on to the Grand Final.

Division 2

Victoria Park have held off UWA 2-1 in extra time to book in a date with YMCC in the Premier League Division 2 Women's Grand Final.

After plenty of back and forth, Victoria Park would score late in the opening term via Chloe Buzza to get the early lead, only for UWA to eventually respond via Holly White early in the third quarter to level the score at a goal apiece.

Although the match was forced into extra time, Victoria Park's reaction was swift, quickly earning a penalty corner opportunity and scoring via Katy Clarke to secure the win.

In the Premier League Division 2 Men's competition, UWA and WASPS have emerged as the 2024 Grand Finalists.

After securing the minor premiership, UWA booked the first grand final spot after defeating WASPS 3-1 during the Midweek Semi Finals.

WASPS found themselves up against YMCC in the Preliminary Final after YMCC eliminated Westside Wolves 2-1 in an exciting Semi Final.

Although WASPS would gain the upper hand during the second quarter via Brennan Doak and extended their lead via Shaun Shackley in the early stages of the final quarter, YMCC staged a huge comeback, scoring via Sebastain Chandraratna and Timothy Fleay to force the match into extra time.

Neither side would let up during the two five-minute periods as the contest went to shootouts, where WASPS would hold off YMCC to claim the win 2-2 (4-3 SO).

The Stiles Electrical Premier League is also proudly supported by Joel Mitton.