SCORCHERS TO BATTLE NSW FOR SPOT IN FINAL
Tonight the OAMPS Queensland Scorchers open women’s hockey team will compete against the New South Wales Arrows in Darwin for a position in tomorrow night’s Australian Hockey League (AHL) final.
It is not yet decided who will play either Queensland or New South Wales in the final, with Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia all capable of finishing at the top of Pool A.
The two states to contest the grand final will be confirmed following the conclusion of all matches played today. The last match today will be played between Queensland and New South Wales at 8.00pm.
Although New South Wales have enjoyed more convincing victories throughout Finals Week, which began in Darwin last Saturday, Queensland are desperate to bring to an end their string of five runners-up finishes over the past five consecutive AHL tournaments.
In 2010, Western Australia won the AHL championship while Queensland finished second and New South Wales finished third.
Queensland last won the AHL championship in 2005 and New South Wales last won the title in 2009.
Both Queensland and New South Wales are undefeated thus far at Finals Week, although the teams have experienced varying heights of success epitomised by Queensland’s narrow 3-2 victory over Tasmania and New South Wales’ 7-0 thrashing of Tasmania.
In addition to state pride, Hockeyroos selection has been on the line at Finals Week.
Shortly after Finals Week the 2011 Hockeyroos Squad will be announced to train towards the upcoming 2011 Champions Trophy and qualifying events for the 2012 London Olympics.
Queensland players Jill Dwyer, Marnie Hudson, Kandice Olivieri and Jodie Schulz were selected for the first time in the national squad when the preliminary 2011 Hockeyroos Squad was named in January.
The new-look Hockeyroos Squad has come together following the arrival of new Hockeyroos coach Adam Commens in 2011.
The trend of Commens and other national selectors showing faith in young talent is likely to continue following successes of the new-look side including a victory against world number one Argentina to a win a Four Nations tournament in February.
Australian and Queensland hockey captain Madonna Blyth and veteran Australian and Queensland defender Teneal Attard were among the senior players who retained their positions in the Hockeyroos Squad.
Three players who were previously in the national squad, Kate Hollywood, Alison Bruce and Stacia Joseph, were demoted to the national development squad.
Hollywood and Bruce are New South Wales Arrows’ players. Joseph is a member of the Victorian Vipers.
Image courtesy of Epic Moments Photography.
