Team Selection: Reinforcements brought in for Blaze clash

The Perth Thundersticks teams are locked and loaded ahead of their final double-header of the 2023 JDH Hockey One season on Sunday.

MEN'S

UPDATE: A number of late changes have been made to the men's line-up, with Will Battistessa, Tim Geers and Cambell Geddes returning to the squad, replacing James Collins, Liam Flynn and Tom Wickham, who have been withdrawn due to injury and illness.

Ahead of a do-or-die clash in Queensland, the Perth Thundersticks will be looking to bolster their defence to fend off the Brisbane Blaze.

Alistair Murray has been named to return to the Thundersticks' 15-person squad set to travel to the Queensland State Hockey Centre in their JDH Hockey One round 7 match against Brisbane Blaze on Sunday.

Murray, who previously featured for the Thundersticks in their 3-0 win against Adelaide Fire last fortnight, comes back into the line-up replacing Bryn De Bes, who has been omitted.

Murray will provide assistance in defence as the Thundersticks take one last roll of the dice to punch their ticket to Canberra.

The Thundersticks currently sit in fifth place on the ladder with a 2-3 record, two premiership points behind Tassie Tigers and Adelaide Fire and pipping Hockey Club Melbourne by goal difference.

The Thundersticks will face another tough challenge against Brisbane Blaze, who have already secured their spot in the finals, as they continue on their quest to salvage their campaign and go one better than last year's silver medal.

The Starting 15 vs Brisbane Blaze

1. Matt Bird
2. Will Battistessa
3. Tim Geers
4. Jake Harvie - proudly supported by Harley Dykstra
9. James Day - proudly supported by Espresso Works
11. Tom Harvie - proudly supported by Bravo Apples & Consolidated Minerals Pty Ltd
12. Alistair Murray
13. Brayden King - proudly supported by AMS Installation & Maintenance Solutions
14. Matt Willis
16. Brodee Foster - proudly supported by Consolidated Minerals Pty Ltd
17. Aran Zalewski (C) - proudly supported by Western Stabilisers
18. Ben Rennie (GK)
20. Frank Main
23. Cambell Geddes
25. Trent Mitton - proudly supported by Amelia Park Beef

In: Alistair Murray, Will Battistessa, Tim Geers, Cambell Geddes
Out: Bryn De Bes (omitted), Tom Wickham, Liam Flynn, James Collins

WOMEN'S

UPDATE: A further change has been made to the women's line-up set to go up against Brisbane Blaze on Sunday, with Britney Desilva returning to the line-up, replacing Karri Somerville.

With a spot in the JDH Hockey One Finals already locked in, the Perth Thundersticks are set to try out a new combination in their upcoming match against Brisbane Blaze.

Bellé Ramshaw and Georgina Dowd have been named to return to the Thundersticks' 15-person squad travelling to Queensland State Hockey Centre ahead of their final match of the regular season on Sunday 19 November.

Ramshaw, who will play her first game since round three's victory against Tassie Tigers, comes in to replace skipper Rachel Frusher, who is being rested for general soreness.

In the absence of Frusher, Penny Squibb will take on captain duties for this weekend.

Dowd, who was a last-minute withdrawal from the Thundersticks' line-up against NSW Pride last weekend, comes in to replace Elyssa Melville, who has been omitted from the line-up.

Going into the match with a 4-1 record following last weekend's loss to NSW Pride, the Thundersticks will be looking to bounce back and cement their spot atop the Women's ladder ahead of the finals.

The Blaze and the Pride are hot on their tail on 17 premiership points each as they look to take the throne.

The Starting 15 vs Brisbane Blaze

1. Pippa Morgan - proudly supported by ERM
3. Neasa Flynn - proudly supported by Rascals Corner Farm & Boutique Accommodation
6. Sarah Byrnes - proudly supported by Bravo Apples
7. Penny Squibb (C) - proudly supported by Amelia Park Lamb
8. Georgia Wilson - proudly supported by Western Stablisers
9. Shanea Tonkin - proudly supported by C Results
10. Jesse Reid
12. Liné Malan - proudly supported by Raine & Horne Commercial WA
13. Lexie Pickering - proudly supported by Hawkesbury Community Sport by Hawkesbury Prohibition 0% Pale Ale
14. Elizabeth Duguid (GK) - proudly supported by Consolidated Minerals Pty Ltd
15. Bellé Ramshaw - proudly supported by Consolidated Minerals Pty Ltd
17. Annie Gibbs
18. Renee Rockliff - proudly supported by Architectural Ceiling Systems
19. Georgina Dowd
24. Britney Desilva

In: Bellé Ramshaw, Georgina Dowd, Britney Desilva
Out: Elyssa Melville (omitted), Rachel Frusher (general soreness), Karri Somerville

FIXTURES

Men's vs Brisbane Blaze

Sunday 19 November 12.00pm AWST (2.00pm AEST)

Queensland State Hockey Centre

Women's vs Brisbane Blaze

Sunday 19 November 1.30pm AWST (3.30pm AEST)

Queensland State Hockey Centre

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