Thundersticks set to rumble in Hockey One main event

The Perth Thundersticks men and women are set to fight for pride and glory in the upcoming Sultana Bran Hockey One Finals Series on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November in Bendigo, Victoria.

Both sides will compete in the semi-finals on Saturday, culminating in the final day of action on Sunday, with a Grand Final spot or bronze medal play-off on the cards a result of Saturday’s efforts.

The Perth Thundersticks women head into their semi-final from third position on the ladder and face a talent-laden NSW Pride side stacked with Hockeyroos talent on Saturday, to book their place in the Hockey One Grand Final.

The men also claimed a third-place spot, with the Canberra Chill their opponents in the semi-final – Canberra is the side’s most recent opponent in round six, who they will look to improve against after a 4-2 defeat at Canberra’s home turf.

The Thundersticks have endured a taxing road trip to reach Bendigo, but Thundersticks women’s captain Kyra White is confident in her side’s ability to be ready for the challenge ahead.

“We are settling in Bendigo really well and it has been a long travel day, but we have really enjoyed the road trip and feel settled heading into the match,” White said.

“We were really happy to have the bye fall in the last round which has helped us freshen up before the finals – it has also allowed us to train hard and keep the finals-like intensity up which has been great preparation for us.

“As captain of this side, I would love nothing more than to lift the cup up with this group of girls, many of which I have played hockey with for a number years, and it would be amazing for the sport here in WA.”

A mix of experience and youth will be the driver for the Thundersticks men’s side, who have a full-stength squad on hand for the first time since the early rounds of the season.

“We have a lot of experience in our side and the younger guys heading into their first finals series have great examples in the likes of Aran Zalewski, Tom Wickham and Jake Harvie who will look to take the game on early,” Lovell said.

“We also have not had a full-strength squad since roughly round two, so to have all the guys fit and ready heading into an intense finals series is really valuable for us.”

The 2022 Sultana Bran Hockey One League finals series in Bendigo takes place across the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November. The women face NSW Pride in their clash on Saturday while the men meet Canberra Chill. Winners on Saturday progress to the Grand Final on Sunday; losing sides face off in a third-v-fourth clash.

Saturday 19 November - Semi-Finals

7:35am (AWST) - Women - Perth Thundersticks v NSW Pride

12:05pm (AWST) - Men - Perth Thundersticks v Canberra Chill

Sunday 20 November - Grand Finals

Women's 3rd Place playoff - 7:35am (AWST)

Men's 3rd Place Playoff - 9:05am (AWST)

Women's Grand Final - 11:15am (AWST)

Men's Grand Final - 1:15pm (AWST)

Perth Thundersticks Men’s team: 1.Chris Bausor, 2.Will Battistessa, 3.Tim Geers, 4.Jake Harvie, 5.Bryn de Bes, 6.James Collins, 7.Tyler Lovell (gk), 8.Brodee Foster, 10.Tom Wickham, 11.Tom Harvie, 13.Cambell Geddes, 14.Liam Flynn, 17.Aran Zalewski (c), 19.Ben Rennie (gk), 21.Ross Hall, 22.Ben Taylor, 24.Matt Willis

Perth Thundersticks Women’s team: 1.Kate Denning, 2.Kyra White (c), 3.Candyce Peacock, 5.Georgina Dowd, 7.Penny Squibb, 8.Georgia Wilson, 9.Shanea Tonkin, 10.Sarah Byrnes, 11.Rachel Frusher, 12.Line Malan, 13.Neasa Flynn, 14.Elizabeth Duguid (gk), 16.Karri Somerville, 17.Annie Gibbs, 18.Renee Rockliff, 19.Aleisha Power (gk), 25.Jolie Sertorio

All the action will be streamed live on Kayo Sports and Fox Sports.