H1 Match Report: Round 5 – Perth Thundersticks v Brisbane Blaze

The Perth Thundersticks capped off another perfect weekend at home with two impressive victories over Brisbane Blaze, as the women secured a hard-fought 1-0 win to remain undefeated and book their place in the Finals, while the men overcame an early deficit to power away for a commanding 9-2 triumph.

Women

The Perth Thundersticks produced a disciplined and determined performance to edge Brisbane Blaze 1-0, preserving their unbeaten record and securing a place in the Finals on the Gold Coast thanks to a decisive fourth-quarter strike from Jolie Sertorio.

A tight and evenly contested opening quarter saw both sides trade possession and circle entries, with the Perth Thundersticks and Brisbane Blaze creating opportunities but unable to break the deadlock.

Madi Ratcliffe and Neasa Flynn went closest for PTX, while strong defensive efforts at both ends ensured the scores remained level at 0-0 at quarter time.

The defensive battle continued through the second quarter, with both teams locked in an even contest and trading possession across the field.

The Perth Thundersticks generated chances from penalty corners, while Brisbane Blaze threatened through their own set-piece opportunities, only to be denied by a crucial save from Summer Greenway and a shot over the crossbar.

With both defences standing tall, the scores remained deadlocked at 0-0 heading into half time.

The deadlock remained unbroken in a tense third quarter, with both the Perth Thundersticks and Brisbane Blaze continuing to trade possession in a tightly contested battle.

A Blaze penalty corner was successfully shut down before the Thundersticks launched a counterattack, while both sides ramped up the pressure in search of the opening goal.

Neasa Flynn came agonisingly close late in the term, but strong defending at both ends ensured the scores stayed locked at 0-0 heading into the final quarter.

The breakthrough finally came in a gripping final quarter as the Perth Thundersticks capitalised on a penalty corner, with Jolie Sertorio finding the back of the net.

Brisbane Blaze pushed hard for an equaliser and tested the Thundersticks defence through late penalty corners, but Summer Greenway and the PTX defensive unit stood firm to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

The win keeps the Thundersticks undefeated and books their place in the Finals on the Gold Coast.

Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 1 (Jolie Sertorio 55’)
Brisbane Blaze 0
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 1. Pippa Morgan, 2. Jolie Sertorio, 3. Neasa Flynn, 4. Madi Ratcliffe, 5. Courtney Schonell, 6. Sarah Byrnes, 10. Jesse Reid, 12. Liné Malan (C), 13. Caitlyn Templeman, 14. Saysha Pillay, 15. Bellé Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Sophie Nation, 19. Beatrice Bell, 20. Madison Woods (GK), 27. Summer Greenway (GK).
 
Brisbane Blaze team: 3. Kendra Fitzpatrick, 6. Morgan Mathison, 9. Casey Dolkens, 10. Rosie Malone, 11. Camryn Mathison, 13. Karissa Van der Wath, 14. Stephanie Kershaw, 15. Jade Reid, 17. Aurora Kovacevich, 18. Madeline Kenny, 20. Jamie-Lee Surha, 21. Sara Strauss, 22. Tatum Stewart, 25. Kyra Livermore, 88. Jordan Bliss (GK), 99. Jemima Hoddinott (GK).

Men

The Perth Thundersticks overturned an early deficit with a clinical attacking display and resolute defensive effort, storming to a commanding 9-2 victory over Brisbane Blaze to continue their strong Hockey One campaign.

Brisbane Blaze took an early lead from a penalty stroke, but the Perth Thundersticks quickly settled into the contest and began creating opportunities of their own through penalty corners.

Hunter Banyard produced a crucial save to keep the margin at one goal, while Ian Grobbelaar came closest for PTX with a drag flick denied by Mitch Nicholson.

Despite an even share of possession and territory, the Thundersticks were unable to convert their chances and trailed 1-0 at the first break.

The Perth Thundersticks continued to build momentum in the second quarter, creating several penalty corner opportunities and withstanding sustained pressure from Brisbane Blaze at the other end.

Ian Grobbelaar was again denied by Mitch Nicholson from a penalty corner before the Thundersticksd earned a penalty stroke, which Tom Harvie calmly converted to level the scores.

The Thundersticks then hit the front through Harry Golding, who found a narrow gap to finish clinically, and held firm defensively to take a 2-1 lead into half time.

The Perth Thundersticks took control of the contest in a high-scoring third quarter, with Brodee Foster finding the back of the net to extend the home side's advantage after an even opening period.

Brisbane Blaze responded through Tom Wycherley after Hunter Banyard's initial save from a penalty corner, but the Thundersticks continued to capitalise on their opportunities, with Tom Harvie converting a penalty stroke and Foster adding another goal to restore the buffer.

The Thundersticks' clinical finishing saw them open up a commanding 6-2 lead heading into the final break.

The Perth Thundersticks capped off a dominant performance in the final quarter, with Daykin Stanger adding to the scoring through a field goal before later completing his hat-trick with clinical finish after clinical finish.

Brisbane Blaze continued to press in search of a way back into the contest, even withdrawing their goalkeeper for an extra field player, but the Thundersticks' defence stood tall, with Hunter Banyard producing another important save from a penalty corner.

The Thundersticks remained in control throughout the closing stages, sealing an emphatic 9-2 victory to complete a commanding team performance.

 
Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 9 (Tom Harvie 28’/45’, Harry Golding 28’, Brodee Foster 42’/42’/45’, Daykin Stanger 46’/59’/59’)
Brisbane Blaze 2 (Corey Weyer 4’, Tom Wycherley 44’)
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 5. Angus Adamson, 9. Johannes Grosse, 10. Max Freedman, 11. Tom Harvie, 13. Daykin Stanger, 16. Brodee Foster, 17. Jonah Pilatti, 19. Ian Grobbelaar, 20. Mitch Pace, 22. Flynn Ogilvie, 24. Cam Geddes, 25. Ethan Yem, 26. James Collins (C), 27. Hunter Banyard (GK), 32. Matt Edwards (GK), 43. Harry Golding.
 
Brisbane Blaze team: 1. Lachi Sharp, 2. Shane Kenny, 3. Corey Weyer, 4. Noah Fahy, 5. Cody Hale, 8. Adam Imer, 9. Jacob Anderson, 13. David Hubbard, 15. Jayden Atkinson, 16. Tim Howard, 17. Scott Boyde, 18. Mac Warne, 21. Matt Hawthorne, 28. Tom Wycherley, 32. Mitch Nicholson (GK), 99. Travis King (GK).

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