Ships aim to double up
TASMANIA’S largest hockey club will be out in force to claim victory in today’s men’s and women’s Premier League hockey double-header grand finals.
The Ships women will be hoping to cap a fairytale rise from wooden spooners in 2017 to premiers 12 months later when they face minor premiers North-West Graduates at 2pm. In an intriguing matchup, Graduates blitzed through an unbeaten regular season before falling to OHA in a pulsating semi-final where the Ships emerged victorious 2-1 in extra time.
Ships forward Nellie Paynter found the winner, capping a consistent display, while playing coach Sarah McCambridge was forced from the field with a head injury approaching three-quarter time.
OHA will rely on strong performances from stars Jean Flanagan, Sofie McLeod and young forward Julia Gunn, while goalkeeper Evie Dalton will be crucial to their success.
North-West Graduates conceded just nine goals and shared the attacking load with Grace Calvert and Em Divin prolific through the 20-round season before being stunned in the semi-final.
Star forward Sofi Viarengo got off the leash after halftime in their 3-1 preliminary final win against Derwent last week and their finals experience could be telling. Ashleigh Arthur and Louisa Jacobson are critical to their success, while Viargeno will hope to replicate her hat-trick in last year’s final.
OHA is a hot favourite to claim a fourth consecutive premiership in the men’s decider against University at 4pm. The Students beat Derwent and then North-West Graduates in consecutive finals, but Graduates coach Stephen McMullen is tipping OHA to win 4-1.
“I think their finals experience will be the difference and I just think their midfield will be too strong,” McMullen said.
“Kurt Mackey and Oliver Smith versus Paul Ancher and Josh Brooks will be a key match-up, while both teams have a single dominant defender who wants to control play in Ben Read [University] and James Thomas [OHA].
“Both their influence here is strong but I think Read is the form one out of those two.”
OHA claimed four victories over University during the regular season, but the Students have put form lines out the window with their young crop of Tyler McDonald, Ashby Bingham and Tyler Wolfe far from overawed.