STICKS UP TIME
IT’S hardly a surprising prediction given his allegiances, but Brisbane Blaze defender Corey Weyer has tipped the Queensland franchises to do the double in this weekend’s Hockey One finals in Bendigo.
A host of Kookaburras and Hockeyroos players, including defender Weyer, will take part in the finals - held for the first time since 2019 after two Covidaffected seasons.
While the pandemic may have brought a halt to the new premier domestic competition a replacement for the Australian Hockey League - Weyer said it did not stop development within the states.
The depth of the Blaze, in particular, this season has been a prime driver in its success.
Weyer - who returned earlier this year from a stint playing in Belgium’s top division - has noticed the emergence of several rising stars across the league.
“There was no there was no competition (in 2020 or 2021), which was quite unfortunate, especially for the younger guys coming through who missed out on two years of playing and developing at the highest level in Australia,” Weyer said.
“But the depth in Queensland, the training environment and the quality and numbers there has been really good, so everyone’s been able to develop over that time period.”
Weyer said it was not just the Queenslanders who looked internally to develop talent.
“The Melbourne players and the young Sydney guys as well, really everyone’s developed quite nicely ... you see guys after two years and you can see how much they’ve developed.
“There’s guys who I didn’t know at the start of the year who are now playing and performing really well from other states.”
One of those who has stood out this season is Blaze goalkeeper Mitch Nicholson, who Weyer says will be among the keys if Brisbane is to take out the title.
“Mitch Nicholson has had an unbelievable tournament so far and he’s been super consistent,” Weyer said.
“Knowing that in the pressure situations towards the end of a game he’s going to make the saves and he’s going to be the difference. I
“’m looking forward to him hopefully getting an opportunity to be identified in the development squad or even the national squad.”
The top four sides will compete in knockout semis on
Saturday, followed by the championship deciders on Sunday.
While finishing on top has afforded the Blaze the chance to take on the No.4 side, Weyer said NSW Pride would be no pushover.
He predicted Canberra Chill, which takes on Perth Thundersticks in the other semi, could be the competition dark horse.
The Blaze women will defend their title from fourth place, taking on minor premier HC Melbourne in the semis. NSW Pride and Perth Thundersticks meet in the opening semi.
The live broadcast of the finals was also a positive for a sport that struggles for mainstream exposure outside of the Commonwealth Games and Olympic window.
“Having all the finals televised on Fox is a huge step forward,” Weyer said.