H1 Match Report: Round 1 - Perth Thundersticks v Tassie Tigers

The Perth Thundersticks opened their 2026 Hockey One season with mixed results in Tasmania, as the women delivered a clinical 3-0 win over the Tigers before the men mounted a spirited fightback that ultimately came up short in a 4-2 defeat.

Women

The Perth Thundersticks Women produced a clinical all-round performance in Tasmania, combining disciplined defence with efficient attacking pressure to secure a commanding 3-0 victory over the Tassie Tigers in their Hockey One season opener.

The Thundersticks came out with intent in the opening quarter, applying strong pressure and looking to create opportunities through the circle, but a disciplined Tassie defence stood firm.

Courtney Schonell was lively in attack and Madi Ratcliffe tested the Tigers' defence with an early chance, only for Evie Dalton to make the save.

At the other end, the Thundersticks' defensive unit held strong, with Annie Gibbs and Georgia Wilson combining to deny a Tasmanian penalty corner before Summer Greenway produced an important save from a re-awarded set piece.

Despite both teams enjoying periods of possession and trading territory throughout a tight contest, neither side could find the breakthrough as the deadlock remained intact at quarter-time.

The Thundersticks struck first in the second quarter, capitalising on an early penalty corner earned by Sophie Nation.

Madi Ratcliffe's initial shot created the opportunity, with Jolie Sertorio pouncing on the rebound and firing home a mid-air finish to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Tassie looked to respond immediately and pushed hard for circle entries, but the Thundersticks' defensive unit continued to apply relentless pressure and limit clear scoring opportunities.

At the other end, the Thundersticks threatened to double their advantage through several close-range chances, while Neasa Flynn was particularly dangerous in attack, forcing multiple saves from Tigers goalkeeper Evie Dalton.

Tassie continued to build momentum as the quarter progressed, but Greenway stood tall between the posts, producing a string of important saves to preserve the lead.

Despite sustained pressure from both sides in an entertaining and fast-paced contest, the Thundersticks took their 1-0 advantage into the halftime break.

The Thundersticks doubled their advantage early in the third quarter after Neasa Flynn produced a surging run through midfield, with Courtney Schonell on hand to finish and make it 2-0.

An opportunity to produce a field conversion went begging as Dalton fended off Schonell’s shot.

With the lead extended, the Thundersticks continued to press, earning a series of penalty corners through sustained attacking pressure.

Ratcliffe saw one effort blocked, while several other drag flicks and shots went narrowly wide despite multiple re-awards keeping the pressure on the Tigers' defence.

Sarah Byrnes was influential in creating opportunities in attack as the Thundersticks searched for a third goal, but Tasmania's defence remained resilient.

The Tigers threatened from a penalty corner of their own, only for the Thundersticks' defensive unit to stand tall and preserve the clean sheet.

The Thundersticks continued to control proceedings in the final quarter, applying sustained pressure and creating a string of attacking opportunities as they searched for a third goal.

An early penalty corner appeared to have produced a goal when Courtney Schonell's initial shot was blocked and Georgia Hiskins followed up from close range, but the effort was later overturned.

Tassie looked to stay within striking distance from a penalty corner of their own, but the Thundersticks' defence stood firm to deny both the initial shot and the ensuing scramble.

Maintaining the momentum, the Thundersticks repeatedly entered the attacking circle and were eventually rewarded when Schonell fired home a clean strike from a penalty corner to extend the lead to 3-0.

Dominating possession for much of the quarter, the Thundersticks continued to pile on the pressure through several more penalty corners, earning multiple re-awards despite seeing shots blocked, run wide or drift narrowly off target.

Their control of territory and possession ensured Tasmania was unable to mount a late comeback, with the Thundersticks closing out a comprehensive 3-0 victory.

Summer Greenway was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance in the net on debut.

 
Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 3 (Jolie Sertorio 16’, Courtney Schonell 32’/55’)
Tassie Tigers 0
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 2. Jolie Sertorio, 3. Neasa Flynn, 4. Madi Ratcliffe, 5. Courtney Schonell, 6. Sarah Byrnes, 9. Georgia Hiskins, 10. Jesse Reid, 12. Liné Malan (C), 13. Caitlyn Templeman, 15. Bellé Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Sophie Nation, 19. Beatrice Bell, 27. Summer Greenway (GK), 28. Georgia Wilson, 99. Merinda Sainty-White (Emergency GK). 
 
Tassie Tigers team: 2. Holly Pearson, 3. Phillida Bradley, 4. Hannah Baxter, 5. Zayna Jackson, 7. Taylor Brooks, 9. Georgina Carter, 10. Isabella Kruimink, 11. Jade Vanderzwan, 15. Penny Squibb, 17. Paige Blake, 18. Sophia Schwabe, 19. Bryn Underwood (Emergency GK), 20. Beth Dobbie, 21. Yvette Biekart, 24. Camila Raposo, 25, Evie Dalton (GK)
 

Men

The Perth Thundersticks Men mounted a determined fightback after falling behind early, but despite creating a host of chances and finishing strongly, were unable to overcome a clinical Tasmanian Tigers side in a hard-fought 4-2 defeat in Tasmania.

The men's contest exploded into life in the opening quarter, with both sides trading possession before the Thundersticks struck first.

Daykin Stanger created the breakthrough, forcing an early penalty corner that was emphatically converted by Ian Grobbelaar, whose powerful drag flick gave the visitors the advantage.

The Tigers responded swiftly, however, with Sam McCulloch finding the back of the net from open play before the Tigers successfully converted a penalty stroke through Ehren Hazell to turn the game on its head.

The Thundersticks looked to hit back immediately and continued to search for opportunities in attack, but Tassie remained dangerous with several circle entries and attacking forays of their own.

The Tigers also threatened from a penalty corner, though the Thundersticks were able to force a deflection and limit the damage.

With momentum swinging both ways and plenty of end-to-end action, the Tigers held a narrow lead at the first break.

Tasmania dictated much of the play in the second quarter, generating consistent attacking pressure and forcing the Thundersticks to work hard defensively.

While the Thundersticks showed resilience and looked to fight their way back into the contest, including a penalty corner opportunity that saw Ian Grobbelaar's effort blocked, the Tigers maintained control through a series of circle entries and sustained possession.

The visitors found it difficult to break through the Tasmanian press and establish attacking momentum.

The Tigers eventually converted their pressure into goals, with Oscar Pritchard finding the back of the net from a penalty corner to extend the lead.

Tassie continued to dominate the closing stages of the half, earning multiple penalty corners and forcing several crucial defensive interventions, including a save from Hunter Banyard and another corner that was ruled too high.

However, the home side would not be denied, with Joshua Brooks converting from a penalty corner late in the quarter to cap off a commanding period.

The Tigers headed into the halftime break firmly in control with a 4-1 advantage.

The Thundersticks showed plenty of positive intent in the third quarter as they searched for a way back into the contest.

Tassie looked dangerous early, pressing forward from the restart, but the visitors gradually worked their way into the game and began creating opportunities of their own.

Daykin Stanger threatened in attack only to be denied by Tigers goalkeeper Magnus McCausland, while Ian Grobbelaar's penalty corner effort was deflected away as the Thundersticks continued to apply pressure.

The quarter featured plenty of end-to-end action, with both sides enjoying periods of possession.

Cam Geddes tested McCausland with a strong effort, while Sam Ashton also came close but saw his shot drift wide.

The Thundersticks continued knocking on the door through a series of circle entries, and Luke Anderson came close to pulling a goal back with a dangerous chance in front of goal.

Despite the visitors showing clear signs of improvement and creating some promising opportunities, the Tigers remained in control of the scoreboard, holding their 4-1 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Thundersticks continued to push for a way back into the contest in the final quarter, but Tassie remained dangerous whenever they moved forward.

The Tigers threatened to extend their lead early from a penalty corner, only for the Thundersticks to force a deflection and limit the damage.

As the quarter progressed, the visitors continued to search for scoring opportunities and were rewarded from a penalty corner when Brodee Foster reacted quickest to a rebound and fired home to reduce the deficit to 4-2.

With renewed momentum, the Thundersticks pushed hard for another breakthrough.

Mitch Pace came close to narrowing the margin further, only for his effort to be deflected away by Magnus McCausland, while Stanger was also denied by the Tigers goalkeeper during a frantic finish.

In a final attacking gamble, Banyard was withdrawn in the closing minutes to provide an extra field player, but Tassie defence held firm under pressure.

Despite a spirited late challenge from the Thundersticks, the Tigers held on to secure a 4-2 victory.

 
Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 2 (Ian Grobbelaar 2’, Brodee Foster 53')
Tassie Tigers 4 (Sam McCulloch 2’, Ehren Hazell 2’, Oscar Pritchard 28’, Joshua Brooks 30’)
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Sam Ashton, 2. Luke Anderson, 5. Angus Adamson, 9. Johannes Grosse, 10. Max Freedman, 11. Tom Harvie, 13. Daykin Stanger, 15. Ben O’Grady, 16. Brodee Foster, 19. Ian Grobbelaar, 20. Mitch Pace, 24. Cam Geddes, 26. James Collins (C), 27. Hunter Banyard (GK), 43. Harry Golding, 99. Harley Wilkie (Emergency GK). 
 
Tassie Tigers team: 1. Magnus McCausland (GK), 4. Hayden Beltz, 5. Matt Bird, 6. Joshua Brooks, 7. Ruben Hoey, 8. Lex Tump, 9. Jeremy Edwards, 10. Oliver Stebbings, 15. Oscar Pritchard, 17. Lachlan Rogers, 19. Tim Deavin, 20. Ehren Hazell, 22. Sam McCulloch, 23. Angus McMullen, 31. Williams Dixon (GK), 77. Keenan Johnson.

The Perth Thundersticks is proudly supported by Bravo Apples, ERM High Voltage Asset Specialists, Polytan, Hexa Commercial, Session Equity, and SRG Global.