After nearly two months of world class hockey around the country, the finalists of the JDH Hockey One League 2023 Season have been determined with the Finals Series set to play out in the nation’s capital this weekend.
The National Hockey Centre in Canberra will play host to the top four men’s and women’s teams, with semi-finals taking place tomorrow with the titles to be decided on Sunday afternoon.
Not only will the trophies be on the line, players will also be looking to impress national selectors with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games just eight months away.
JDH Hockey One Executive Manager Sash Herceg said the quality of matches this season has been the highest in the history of the League and this weekend’s finals series is shaping as the best yet.
“The calibre of hockey this season has again proved that the JDH Hockey One League is up there with any domestic league in the world,” said Herceg.
“We’ve had Hockeyroos and Kookaburras stars making their mark, emerging Australian talent putting their names in lights and exceptional international talent perform with aplomb on pitches across the country.
“The National Hockey Centre will be a fitting stage for the 2023 Finals Series, and based on how the season has played out so far, any of the teams who have earned their way to the Main Event have a chance of lifting the trophy on Sunday.
The NSW Pride men’s team have a target on their back as not only the two-time defending champions, but also heading into the finals undefeated throughout the regular season.
Brisbane Blaze – who finished second on the ladder with just one loss – will be keen to avenge last year’s semi-final shootout loss to the Pride.
If the top two teams are to meet in the final, the Pride will need to overcome the Tassie Tigers, while the Blaze are up against HC Melbourne whose last round victory booked their ticket to Canberra.
The women’s competition is set to be fiercely fought, with just two competition points separating the four finalists after the regular season.
NSW Pride beat Brisbane Blaze in the 2022 Grand Final after a shootout, and it is only goal difference that separated the two sides after this year’s regular season.
The Blaze (2019 champions) will meet the Perth Thundersticks in the semi finals, while the defending champions NSW Pride take on Canberra Chill who finished the season in third.
Tickets are available now and all matches will be shown LIVE and free on 7plus.
2023 JDH Hockey One League Finals Series
National Hockey Centre, Lyneham ACT
Semi-Finals – Saturday 25 November
11am AEDT / 10am AEST / 8am AWST | Women – Brisbane Blaze v Perth Thundersticks
12:30pm AEDT / 11:30am AEST / 9:30am AWST | Men – NSW Pride v Tassie Tigers
2:30pm AEDT / 1:30pm AEST / 11:30am AWST | Women – NSW Pride v Canberra Chill
4pm AEDT / 3pm AEST / 1pm AWST | Men – Brisbane Blaze v HC Melbourne
Grand Final Day – Sunday 26 November
11:30am AEDT / 10:30am AEST / 8:30am AWST | Women’s Third Place Playoff
12:30pm AEDT / 11:30am AEST / 9:30am AWST | Men’s Third Place Playoff
3:30pm AEDT / 2:30pm AEST / 12:30pm AWST | Women’s Grand Final
5:30pm AEDT / 4:30pm AEST / 2:30pm AWST | Men’s Grand Final
Previous Champions
Women
2022 – NSW Pride
2019 – Brisbane Blaze
Men
2022 – NSW Pride
2019 – NSW Pride
Hockey One
