Tigers’ goalie pulling pin
Perth clash to be Bonde’s last for her state
TASSIE Tigers goalkeeper Holly Bonde has announced that Saturday’s final home fixture against the Perth Thundersticks will be her last.
The mother-of-three came out of retirement to play the inaugural Hockey One season for the Tigers, completing the gruelling round trip of Penguin to Hobart three times a week to train.
She made her initial debut in the Australian Hockey League back in 2005, playing in 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2016 between family commitments.
Bonde, 34, was razor-sharp on Sunday, saving a crucial conversion when pitted against former Hockeyroo Madi Radcliffe late in the final quarter with the Tigers still close to a result.
Bonde was voted third best player by Tigers members in their opening-round performance against Adelaide Fire, and again on Saturday.
“Holly has set the standard for our group with regards to commitment and effort,” coach Luke Doerner said.
“She has worked extremely hard in her own time seeking continuous improvement which has been fantastic to see and is something for our younger players and future players to look up to. I am hopeful we can keep Holly engaged in some capacity moving forward and she can help with the development of the sport in the north of the state.”
Doerner has elected to make just one change to the side that fell 5-2 to undefeated ladder leader HC Melbourne, with Hannah Richardson replacing Maddy Hinton.
In what will also be vicecaptain Nicole Geeves’ 149th appearance, Doerner has hired a special guest coach to assist the girls to sign off the competition in a positive fashion.
“Our side has performed well against quality opposition throughout the competition; however, we need to be able to perform for longer periods and capitalise on the opportunities we create.
“We have the king himself, Eddie Ockenden, working with the girls because obviously he is the master at capitalising on opportunities.”
The Tassie Tigers face Perth Thundersticks in their final Hockey One match at the Tasmanian Hockey Centre from 2pm, with the men pushing back from 3.30pm.