A history-making finalist joined three other front runners in securing an early spot in the Road to Hobart Finals Series. Who will join them with just two rounds remaining?
Here’s your sixth-round preview for all of the action.
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CANBERRA CHILL v HC MELBOURNE
Friday, 6.30pm AEDT (Men) 8.00pm AEDT (Women)
National Hockey Centre, Canberra
There is a wild chase in the men’s league as NSW Pride and Brisbane Blaze get set to win matches in an attempt to topple HC Melbourne from the fourth and final Finals spot on the standings. HC Melbourne needs a good showing against the unstoppable, unbeaten Chill side this weekend, arguably a lot more than Canberra needs one, as they have already booked their spot on the Road to Hobart Finals Series. But that won’t stop the Chill’s motivation to put on another strong winning performance in front of a home crowd on Friday night. Canberra have made one change, as their French import Theophile Ponthieu returns and Sean Baker sits out round six. While HC Melbourne will head to the capital unchanged.
In the women’s match, a fight for the spot in the Finals is serious business for both teams as they sit in 5th and 6th on the ladder. Both sides are heading into the match fresh off a loss in round five. Canberra have made one change, losing their skipper Catriona Bailey-Price, while Claudia Johnstone returns. Naomi Evans shifts to captain for the match at home when they take on Melbourne who have made no changes following last weekend’s 1-4 loss to the Brisbane Blaze. Both sides have only won one match this season, in what should be a tight encounter on Friday night.
TEAM LISTS
Canberra Chill Men v HC Melbourne Men
Canberra Chill Men: 2. Ben Staines, 3. Anand Gupte, 5. Jesse Absolom, 6. Xavier Gispert, 11. Garry Backhus, 12. Jake Staines, 13. Dylan Brick, 14. Theophile Ponthieu, 15. Hayden Dillon ©, 17. Aiden Dooley, 18. Kaito Tanaka, 23. Jay Macdonald, 24. Davis Atkin, 26. James Jewel, 27. Max Robson (gk) 30. Andrew Charter © (gk)
HC Melbourne Men: 1. Craig Marais, 2. Peter Scott, 3. Jonathan Bretherton, 4. Liam Henderson, 5. Douglas Buckley, 6. Damon Steffens ©, 10. Brad Marais, 11. Cooper Burns, 12. Connar Otterbach, 14. Rana Waheed, 15. Josh Simmonds, 18. Johan Durst (gk), 20. Nye Roberts, 21. Connor Tuddenham, 22. Ben White
Canberra Chill Women v HC Melbourne Women
Canberra Chill Women: 1. Mikayla Evans, 2. Giselle Ansley, 3. Grace Balsdon, 5. Claudia Johnston, 6. Emma Davidsmeyer, 7. Naomi Evans ©, 8. Ellie Rayer, 10. Georgina West, 11. Taquira McGrath, 13. Edwina Bone, 16. Georgie Smithers, 18. Olivia Martin, 21. Mikaela Patterson, 25. Lauren Yee, 30. Gabrielle Millan, 31. Sarah Steinhardt (gk)
HC Melbourne Women: 1. Sophie Taylor, 2. Aisling Utri, 5. Kristina Bates, 6. Josie Lawton, 7. Ciara Utri, 8. Hannah Cotter, 10. Emily Hamilton-Smith, 11. Rene Hunter (gk), 12. Charlotte Stapenhorst, 14. Laura Barden, 15. Olivia Downes, 17. Zara Geddis, 20. Zali Ward, 22. Charlotte Hodgson, 25. Hannah Gravenall ©
| MEN | FORM | POSITION | LAST RESULT | 2023 PLACE |
| Canberra Chill | W, W, W, -, W | 1st | 2 | 7th |
| HC Melbourne | W, -, L, W, L | 4th | 4 | 3rd |
| WOMEN | FORM | POSITION | LAST RESULT | 2023 PLACE |
| Canberra Chill | L, W, L, -, L | 5th | 2 | 2nd |
| HC Melbourne | W, -, L, L, L | 6th | 1 | 5th |
ADELAIDE FIRE v NSW PRIDE
Saturday, 7.30pm AEDT (Men) 9.00pm AEDT (Women)
MATE Stadium, Adelaide
The NSW Pride have a major opportunity in South Australia, as they face a must-win, season-defining match against the Adelaide Fire on Saturday night. Trailing behind the fourth and final qualifying spot in fifth place, they need to win all of their remaining two matches and have other results go their way if they’re to stand a chance of making the finals and having a shot at the medals. In a big loss, they’ve lost Kookaburra and last week’s goal scorer, Ky Willott, for round six. But they do welcome back a big name in Kookaburra Tim Brand. Adelaide, meanwhile, is desperate to win a match this season and has made two changes to their lineup. Player/coach Jethro Eustice remains in the lineup after a last-minute return following injury last week.
It’s the same story for Adelaide in the women’s match, who are also yet to record their first win, and they will be eager to do so at home for the last time this year. The Fire have made two changes to their lineup, while the Pride will be welcoming back two big names as they fight to stay in the top four and secure that all-important finals berth. Powerhouse goalkeeper Jocelyn Bartram and Hockeyroo Greta Hayes return as they look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Perth.
TEAM LISTS
Adelaide Fire Men v NSW Pride Men
Adelaide Fire Men: 1. Jed Snowden (gk), 2. Luke Anderson, 3. Lucas Toonen, 5. Trent Symss, 7. Geoff Abbott, 9. Fred Gray ©, 10. Thomas Wycherley, 11. Kyton Rayner, 12. Lachlan Arneil, 16. Hugh Snowden, 19. Tom Brown, 20. Daniel Sibbald, 21. Jethro Eustice, 25. Landon Morley, 27. Oliver Higgins (gk), 33. Mitchell Dell
NSW Pride Men: 5. Ash Thomas (gk), 8. Nathanael Stewart ©, 9. Nathan Czinner, 10. Liam Alexander, 11. Dylan Downey, 12. Jared Findlay, 14. Dylan Martin, 15. Miles Davis, 16. Joshua Gregory, 18. Toby Mallon, 23. Ryan Woolnough, 24. Hugh Wickert, 26. Michael Taylor, 32. Callum Mackay, 34. Thomas Miotto
Adelaide Fire Women v NSW Pride Women
Adelaide Fire Women: 1. Bridget Laurance (gk), 3. Sherilyn Cass, 5. Holly Evans, 7. Linzi Appleyard, 8. Miki Spano, 9. Britney Desilva, 10. Tyler Pedley, 11. Lucy Sharman, 13. Hattie Shand ©, 15. Beatriz Monger-Molowny, 16. Casey Crowley 19. Julia Van de Heuvel, 21. Amy Hammond (gk), 23. Margot van Geffen, 24. Shona McCallin, 29. Rosario Villagra
NSW Pride Women: 4. Kendelle Tait, 6. Ella Carr, 7. Grace Stewart, 8. Makayla Jones, 10. Hannah French, 12. Greta Hayes, 14. Emmalee Croker, 16. Alana Kavanagh, 17. Estelle Hughes, 18. Lucinda Preeo, 19. Jocelyn Bartram (gk), 20. Madii Smith, 23. Abby Wilson, 24. Mariah Williams ©, 32. Grace Young
| MEN | FORM | POSITION | LAST RESULT | 2023 PLACE |
| Adelaide Fire | L, L, L, L, – | 7th | 3 | 5th |
| NSW Pride | L, W, -, L, L | 5th | 7 | 2nd |
| WOMEN | FORM | POSITION | LAST RESULT | 2023 PLACE |
| Adelaide Fire | L, L, L, L, – | 7th | 0 | 6th |
| NSW Pride | W, L, -, W, L | 4th | 2 | 4th |
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS v BRISBANE BLAZE
Sunday, 5.30pm AEDT (Women) 7.00pm AEDT (Men)
Perth Hockey Stadium, Curtin University
In what is dubbed a preview of the potential 2024 Liberty Hockey One League grand final, a blockbuster match will see the defending champions Brisbane Blaze collide with the unbeaten, unstoppable Perth Thundersticks in WA on Sunday evening. Perth enters the match five wins on the trot after five rounds, while the Blaze has only had one loss in the four matches they’ve played since their bye in round one. Brisbane has lost star Hockeyroos defender Renee Taylor while making three changes to their lineup, while Perth is set to unleash a dangerous, rested trio for their last home match when Hockeyroos Kaitlin Nobbs, Karri Somerville, and goalkeeper Aleisha Power return in round six. Perth have already booked their spot in the final, while the Blaze are on the cusp and have all to play for as they sit in third on the standings.
It could be all over for our male defending champions on Sunday night when they take on a firing 2nd-placed Perth outfit in WA. Despite picking up a nail-biting shootout win over HC Melbourne last weekend, they still need to win both of their remaining matches and have other results go their way, as they struggled to fire in 2024. They’ve made one change, which sees a big name return to the lineup. Kookaburra Daniel Beale is back, while Perth have lost James Collins to a returning calf injury. Perth have had a resurgent season, which saw them qualify for the Road to Hobart Finals Series last weekend. With that pressure off and playing in front of their home crowd for the last time, they’ll be motivated to keep the title holders out of the Finals this year.
TEAM LISTS
Perth Thundersticks Women v Brisbane Blaze Women
Perth Thundersticks Women: 1. Phillipa Morgan, 5. Courtney Schonell, 6. Lexie Pickering, 7. Penny Squibb ©, 10. Jesse Reid, 12. Liné Malan, 14. Elizabeth Duguid (gk), 15. Belle Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Kaitlin Nobbs, 19. Aleisha Power (gk), 20. Karri Somerville, 21. Saysha Pillay, 22. Jolie Sertorio, 24. Eva Drummond, 28. Georgia Wilson
Brisbane Blaze Women: 1. Savannah Fitzpatrick, 2. Rosie Malone, 3. Kendra Fitzpatrick, 4. Claire Colwill, 5. Morgan Gallagher ©, 8. Dayle Dolkens, 9. Casey Dolkens, 10. Madison Fitzpatrick, 11. Morgan Mathison, 12. Jade Smith, 13. Karissa Van der Wath, 14. Stephanie Kershaw, 15. Jade Reid, 20. Jamie-Lee Surha, 88. Jordan Bliss (gk)
Perth Thundersticks Men v Brisbane Blaze Men
Perth Thundersticks Men: 2. William Battistessa, 3. Brayden King, 4. Jake Harvie, 5. Tom Wickham ©, 8. Coby Green, 9. James Day, 11. Tom Harvie, 13. Samuel Ashton, 14. Chaz Davies, 15. Matthew Bird, 16. Brodee Foster, 18. Ben Rennie (gk), 20. Angus Adamson, 21. Christian Starkie (gk), 22. Max Freedman, 25. Fraser Heigh
Brisbane Blaze Men: 2. Shane Kenny, 3. Corey Weyer, 4. Noah Fahy, 6. Kyle Jeffrey-Prestwich, 8. Adam Imer, 9. Jacob Anderson, 10. Daykin Stanger, 11. Michael Francis, 13. David Hubbard, 15. Jayden Atkinson, 16. Tim Howard ©, 17. Scott Boyde, 21. Max Harding, 23. Daniel Beale, 32. Mitchell Nicholson (gk)
| MEN | FORM | POSITION | LAST RESULT | 2023 PLACE |
| Perth Thundersticks | L, W, W, W, W | 2nd | 1 | 6th |
| Brisbane Blaze | -, L, L, L, W | 6th | 5 | 1st |
| WOMEN | FORM | POSITION | LAST RESULT | 2023 PLACE |
| Perth Thundersticks | W, W, W, W, W | 1st | 2 (2) | 3rd |
| Brisbane Blaze | -, W, W, L, W | 3rd | 2 (4) | 1st |
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