Thrilling finals decide historic Grand Final match-ups

The All Flags Premier League men’s and women’s Grand Finals are locked and loaded after two thrilling Preliminary Finals decided who will meet Victoria Park in the women’s and Melville in the men’s at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University on Saturday 18 September.

After narrowly losing to Victoria Park in the first week of finals, Westside Wolves faced a UWA side coming off a 1-0 dying-minutes win over Hale.

In a tight tussle between the two sides, it was Wolves who came out on top of UWA claiming a 2-0 victory to book their place in the Grand Final, with hopes for the side to overcome Victoria Park this time around.

Madi Ratcliffe starred once again, opening the scoring in the 11^th minute, with Jackie Pereira Top Goal Scorer of the Year Elly Buckley finding the back of the net just before half time.

The 2-0 lead proved too strong for UWA to overcome, with the top two women’s sides all year in Wolves and Vic Park chasing the ultimate glory on the last day of the season.

The men’s Preliminary Final between Reds and UWA provided one of the matches of the year, going into extra time with the two sides meeting at a deadlock come the final buzzer.

Reds looked to pile on the pressure early in the match, with star strikers in Blake Govers and Brodee Foster scoring in the eight and 23^rd minutes respectively.

UWA pulled back a score of the own right before half time, with Lachlan Busiko finding the back of the goal off a penalty corner, giving UWA a chance at snatching the lead from Reds.

Kookaburra Blake Govers once again provided the answer for Reds, scoring in the 32^nd minute, with UWA’s hopes looking all but done.

In a miraculous finish to the match, UWA young-gun Harry Golding scored moments later in the 36^th minute, with Lachlan Busiko providing the answer again for UWA with another penalty corner goal heading into the final quarter to see the scorer stuck at 3-3.

With both teams unable to capitalise on their opportunities late in the match, the final buzzer went, resulting in overtime and a ‘golden goal’ scenario with fans left to a treat in a thrilling finish.

Reds’ Aaron Kleinschmidt was the hero for his side, scoring in the 68^th minute to books his sides’ place in the Grand Final with a chance to go back-to-back after their triumphant Grand Final win in 2020.

Don't miss out on an historic Hockey WA Grand FInal day this saturday 18 September at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University.

RESULTS

Women’s Westside Wolves 2 def. UWA 0

Goals:

Wolves – Madi Ratcliffe (11’), Elly Buckley (28’)

Men’s UWA 3 def. by Reds 4 (AET)

Goals:

UWA – Lachlan Busiko (29’) (45’), Harry Golding (36’)

Reds – Blake Govers (8’) (32’), Brodee Foster (23’), Aaron Kleinschmidt (68’)