Spain’s Xavi Gispert headlines a string of international up and comers ready to set the Liberty Hockey One League alight
Affectionately known on The Shootout (the Liberty Hockey One League’s Official Podcast) as “The Mouth from the South”, Tassie’s Adam Clifford took time to preview another year of Liberty Hockey One League Men’s Competition…
As the Liberty Hockey One League inches closer ahead of the opening round starting October 11, each club has been busy in the off-season with an influx of international stars ready to hit the turf.
Season 2025 will feature no less than 34 international players, a League record!
Here’s a quick snapshot of what you can expect from your men’s club’s new faces, with the on-field entertainment set to go up a notch.
Kiwi Scott Cosslett will cross the ditch to feature for the Adelaide Fire men’s side in 2024
Adelaide Fire:
Jethro Eustice, Daniel Sibbald, Richard Pautz, Geoff Abbott (all South Africa), Scott Cosslett (New Zealand)
Analysis:
The Fire have complemented their emerging list with international strength on each line. 21-year-old Kiwi Cosslett is emerging as one of the rising stars of New Zealand hockey, after impressing in his debut international series the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in May 2024. Penalty corner goals against Japan and hosts Malaysia stamped his quality and he’ll be a big set piece threat for the Fire. Of the South African quartet, Sibbald offers plenty of experience with 50 international caps in midfield and his aggressive line breaking will be a feature of their play. He has two goals against Germany on his resume and will complement the Fire’s counter-attacking style perfectly. But arguably their biggest signing is that of forward Richard Pautz, who boasts an imposing international record of 24 goals from just 39 appearances, including 2 in four matches against India.
No stranger to the Hockey One League, Australian and New Zealand International Scott Boyde will look to replicate his 2023 title winning efforts in 2024.
Brisbane Blaze:
Adam Imer (Brazil), Scott Boyde (New Zealand)
Analysis:
The Queensland-based pair have a long history of success with the Blaze, including playing instrumental roles in their 2023 Hockey One League title and the duo are back to defend the crown. Boyde is fresh off his career-best year, including playing at the Paris Olympics (after switching allegiances from Australia, where he debuted for the Kookaburras back in 2016). Boyde almost single-handedly secured the Black Sticks Olympic spot, with two sensational goals in their do-or-die 3-2 defeat over Pakistan in Olympic qualification. It was a similar story in the 2023 Hockey One semi-final, with Boyde scoring a converted field goal in the semi final to take HC Melbourne to a shootout. In an epic 10-9 win, Boyde scored two of his three attempts to play a leading role in their title win.
Perhaps the most exciting addition to the 2024 Liberty Hockey One League, Xavi Gispert joins the Chill and will be looking to make an impression.
Canberra Chill:
Theor Ponthieu (France), Kaito Tanaka (Japan), Xavi Gispert, Jou Torras (both Spain)
Analysis:
Spain’s Gispert is arguably the biggest name signing of the 2024 Hockey One League, with the 25-year-old at the peak of his powers following 79 international appearances, including being a travelling reserve for the Paris Olympics. He’s faced the Kookaburras eight times, for three victories, in his career to-date and his skilful midfield play will be an enormous asset to the Chill’s hopes of bouncing back into the top four. Torras has been on the cusp of the Spanish national team for some time, and exposure in a League playing against the world’s best could be the catalyst for his call up. Tanaka competed for Japan at the Tokyo Olympic Games, has almost 100 caps and has become accustomed to the Chill’s playing-style after playing under Ben Bishop with the Albury Spitfires in the nation’s capital.
After wowing Adelaide crowds in 2023, England’s Peter Scott makes the move to HC Melbourne, where he’ll look to continue the form that saw him earn a spot in the 2023 Hockey One League team of the year.
HC Melbourne
Peter Scott (England)
Analysis:
There are certain to be fireworks when Scott turns out for HC Melbourne against former club the Adelaide Fire in the season opener on Friday October 11. Scott made the 2023 Team of the Year after impressing with his silky elimination skills and creative play that saw Adelaide claim their first two victories. The 26-year-old followed that campaign up with selection in Hockey Victoria’s All-Star team, including receiving the Runner Up Best and Fairest medal and his connection with Liam Henderson, Ben White and Cooper Burns will be pivotal to HC Melbourne’s 2024 success. But there’ll be certain words shared from the likes of the Fire’s Hugh and Jed Snowden, Fred Gray and Angus Fry for the ex-England internationals defections.
2023 Adelaide Fire Men’s Coach Roel van Maastrigt will don a different jersey in 2024, taking the helm at a NSW Pride men’s squad looking to get back on top
NSW Pride
Roel van Maastrigt – coach (Netherlands)
Analysis:
The highly regarded coach from the ‘homeland of hockey’ provides the NSW Pride’s international flavour and links up with former-Kookaburras forward Kieran Govers to guide the Pride in their guest to return to the men’s summit. Van Maastrigt impressed as Adelaide Fire head-coach last season, guiding them to two wins and a string of impressive performances with a coherent playing style. He now gets the chance to challenge for the title with international stars such as Lachlan Sharp, Blake Govers, Ky Willott and Tim Brand at his disposal, as well as taking the Pride brand to Newcastle, Macarthur and Goulburn to showcase their talents.
Flying Scotsman Fraser Heigh will look a little different in the white & yellow of the Perth Thundersticks this season, but Perth fans beware – blink and you may miss the pacey player
Perth Thundersticks
Fraser Heigh (Scotland)
Analysis:
The former Scotland and Great Britain Under 21 is another to leave the Fire after making a massive impression last season, with his output of eight goals being made up of four braces from six appearances and coming from a mixture of field goals, penalty corners and penalty strokes. The 6ft 1” striker is powerfully built and absolutely rapid with the ball, meaning he’s the perfect tonic to value add the methodical build up game style of the Thundersticks. After two seasons towelling up the WA Premier League, could Heigh’s direct approach and counter-attacking threat could propel the Sandgropers firmly into title contention.
Experienced NZ Keeper Leon Hayward will be the second Hayward family member to run out for the Tigers
Tassie Tigers
Leon Hayward (New Zealand)
Analysis:
There must be an unspoken rule that there can only be one Hayward in a squad at any given time, with the Black Sticks goalkeeper having defected from the Kookaburras program where younger brother Jeremy is part of the leadership group. With Jeremy unavailable, Leon now links up with the Tigers to support their goalkeeping stocks, with Burras shot-stopper Magnus McCausland set to attend the Sultan of Johor Cup and former Burras number one Max Larkin recovering from a long-term hamstring injury. A Black Stick since 2019, Hayward played a huge role in New Zealand’s stunning victory over India at the 2023 World Cup, saving five out of eight penalty shootouts and will be well suited to the Hockey One League format.
Season four hits off on 11 October with the Brisbane Blaze igniting their triple-title defence, while the challengers race to make the all-new Road to Hobart Finals Series and end Brisbane’s run.
The Liberty Hockey One League will be broadcast live and free on 7plus, with 2024 season tickets and memberships available now here.
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