Rivals tangle ahead of finals clash

NORTH-WEST Graduates and DiamondBacks face off in the penultimate women’s Premier League match of the season, knowing the pair will meet in next fortnight’s elimination final.

Both sides’ pathways to victory have changed with key omissions: Louisa Jacobson faces a race against time to return for the finals, while Emily Donovan is being rested after upping her training loads in recent weeks with Tassie Tigers’ Hockey One squad.

Graduates sharpshooter Ash Arthur says there is still much to gain in momentum and confidence from today’s 4.30pm contest.

“Obviously we play DiamondBacks in the first week of finals and we don’t want to show our hand just yet, but with a few big outs this week and just two roster games to go, we will be focusing on processes rather than results,” Arthur said. “It will be good to beat them and have that edge going into finals, but we are really focused on getting our structures and connections.”

North-West Graduates coach Chris Hazelwood has also been unable to select Clare Rojahn and Sarah Pascoe, recalling Meah Leary.

“We hope Louisa will be part of our line-up in the finals, but in the meantime, she has been helping with our defensive group who have covered well for her loss,” Hazelwood said.

DiamondBacks coach Rowan Bridley revealed Belinda Page will be absent and he believes Jacobson will return for the finals.

“Emily Donovan pulled up tight from our last game and is really keen to player for the Tigers, so I want her at her best,” Bridley said. “We won’t be doing a lot different this week, but we’ll need to make the most of our opportunities. It will be a good game to watch and see where some of our younger players are going.”

OHA faces Canterbury from 3pm, while Derwent can move another step closer to the minor premiership with victory against University at 6pm.