HockeyOne: Perth Thundersticks unleash fresh faces for first home double-header

The Perth Thundersticks are back on home soil for Round 2 of the 2024 Liberty Hockey One season this weekend, with both teams featuring limited changes.

Women’s

Hockeyroo Kaitlin Nobbs is set to return to the turf for the first time since the Paris 2024 Olympics as the Perth Thundersticks Women’s side look to continue their strong form.

Nobbs, who moved west from NSW Pride this year, will run out wearing Perth Thundersticks colours for the first time in Sunday’s match against the Tassie Tigers.

The 27-year-old spent most of 2024 focussed on the Hockeyroos program, competing in the FIH Pro League, the Perth International Festival of Hockey, and eventually becoming a two-time Olympian in Paris.

Nobbs will join her Hockeyroos teammates in captain Penny Squibb, Aleisha Power and Karri Somerville, along with her UWA Hockey Club teammates in Pippa Morgan, Neasa Flynn, Courtney Schonell, Lexie Pickering and Jesse Reid.

Her return to Hockey One will bring about some valuable game time after recently being selected by the Odisha Warriors in the Hockey India League auction.

Also selected to play in the upcoming Hockey India League from late December are Squibb (Soorma Hockey Club) and Eva Drummond (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers).

Nobbs comes in to replace Bellé Ramshaw, who has been omitted from the squad.

In: Kaitlin Nobbs

Out: Bellé Ramshaw (omitted)

Debuts: Kailtin Nobbs (Perth Thundersticks)

Emergency Goalkeeper: Elizabeth Duguid – proudly supported by Consolidated Minerals

Men’s

As the Perth Thundersticks look to bounce back from a tough loss to Canberra Chill, three changes have been made to the Men’s side for the first home game of the season.

Chaz Davies, Fraser Heigh and James Collins will make their first appearance for the Perth Thundersticks for the 2024 season in Sunday’s match against the Tassie Tigers.

Davies, who is one of several fresh faces joining the Perth Thundersticks this year, will make his Hockey One debut.

The 21-year-old spent the year playing for WASPS Hockey Club during the 2024 Stiles Electrical Premier League season and was part of the WA Under-21 side that won the 2024 Hockey Australia Under-21 National Championship in March.

Davies said while he is a little nervous ahead of his first Hockey One match, he can’t wait to get out there with his teammates.

“It’s extremely exciting to be playing in front of friends and family,” he said.

“They’ve always been so supportive of me which I’m very grateful for so I’m sure the opportunity to debut in front of them will make it even more special.

“I think the team has been going well and coming together great.

“There is a very good vibe and energy around the group, which is awesome, training have always been at a high level and everyone just gets on great with each other, which has made me feel really comfortable within the team for my first year.”

Scotsman Heigh will make his Perth Thundersticks debut since joining from Adelaide Fire, while Collins will make his Hockey One return after recovering from injury.

Davies, Heigh and Collins come in to replace Angus Adamson & Max Freedman, who are in Malaysia with the Burras ahead of the Sultan of Johor Cup, and Dane Gavranich, who has sustained a thumb injury.

In: Chaz Davies, Fraser Heigh, James Collins

Out: Dane Gavranich (injury), Angus Adamson (Burras), Max Freedman (Burras)

Debuts: Chaz Davies (Hockey One), Fraser Heigh (Perth Thundersticks)

Emergency Goalkeeper: Matt Edwards

Join the rumble this Liberty Hockey One season by becoming a Perth Thundersticks member and securing your tickets TODAY!

The Perth Thundersticks is proudly supported by Sharp EIT Solutions, Bravo Apples, ERM High Voltage Asset Specialists, Polytan, Session Equity, and Project Innovations.

The Perth Thundersticks Women’s program is also proudly supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.