Thundersticks Beaten in AHL Grand Final
Queensland has been crowned the 2012 Men’s Australian Hockey League Champions after defeating Western Australia 3-2 in the Grand Final at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra.
The best of Australian men’s hockey talent was on display in the Grand-Final with Queensland outlasting the reigning AHL Champions Western Australia in an exciting game between two masterful attacking teams.
Queensland was dominant in the first half, and it was no surprise when in the 10th minute; Dylan Wotherspoon worked the ball along the backline to give the Blades the early advantage. Queensland surged forward and only dogged defence from veteran Bevan George and WAIS athlete Aron Zalewski kept them out.
It took WA fifteen minutes to mount any meaningful attack but their efforts remained unrewarded as the reliable Jamie Dwyer gave the Blades a two-goal cushion in the 26th minute.
Undaunted, WA kept pressing and Craig Boyne took advantage of a hesitant Blades defence to slot the ball home.
WA continued to attack and was stopped only by the clock as a relieved Queensland took a 2-1 lead into the break.
The second half became an arm wrestle as WA came out with more purpose. AIS-WAIS scholarship holder Kiel Brown, Chris Bausor and Aron Zalewski controlled the play for the Thundersticks as a nervous Blades team took some time to regain their composure.
After 50 minutes, and against the run of play, Queensland consolidated their lead when a mid-field toss from Rob Hammond found Kane Posselt in space behind the WA defence. Posselt ran the ball along the back line and as the WA defence retreated and prepared for a pass back to the centre, he deftly scooped the ball into the top of the net to give Queensland a two-goal cushion.
Their renewed confidence was dented as WA went into attack and after a scrap in the Blades’ circle, WA was awarded a penalty stroke. Chris Bausor made no mistake and with 14 minutes on the clock, the outcome of the game was again uncertain.
Neither side could take control and with three minutes left, a desperate WA took off keeper Tristan Clemons (WAIS) to focus on attacking with 11 players in the field. The tactic did not bear fruit and an elated if not relieved Queensland celebrated as the final whistle sounded.
At the post-final presentations, Queensland’s Matthew Swann was voted Player of the Final, whilst NSW captain Simon Orchard was voted Player of the Tournament.
In the classification matches, the early morning game saw Tasmania finish seventh when they responded positively to their indifferent play-off performance to defeat a gallant South Australia 4-1. Northern Territory turned the tables on the more fancied ACT to win 2-1 to claim fifth position and relegate ACT to sixth. In the play-off for bronze, Victoria overcame New South Wales’ relentless pressure to score three late goals to win 3-1, after NSW held a deserved 1-0 half-time lead.
– Hockey Australia
