H1 Match Report: Semi-Final - Perth Thundersticks dominate NSW Pride to book Grand Final berth

The Perth Thundersticks have surged into the 2025 One Active Hockey One Women's Grand Final with a commanding 6-0 semi-final victory over the NSW Pride, producing their most complete performance of the season when it mattered most.

Perth came out firing with an aggressive full-field press that immediately placed the Pride under pressure. Despite NSW earning the first real chance of the match from an errant ball inside the circle, Thundersticks goalkeeper Zoe Newman set the tone early with a crucial save to deny the opening goal.

The breakthrough arrived in the sixth minute when Lexie Pickering capitalised on a penalty corner opportunity. A powerful drag flick from Madi Ratcliffe took a deflection off a Pride defender, with Pickering and Neasa Flynn combining to clean up the rebound and give Perth the early lead.

The Thundersticks maintained their attacking momentum into the second quarter. A blistering run from Ratcliffe down the right side saw her rocket a ball into the circle, with Jesse Reid only millimetres away from doubling Perth’s advantage.

Persistent pressure eventually forced a critical NSW turnover late in the second term. Flynn pounced on the loose ball, slotting home her second of the match before calmly converting to push Perth’s lead to 3-0 at the main break.

It took just moments after halftime for Perth to strike again. A brilliant passage down the left from Annie Gibbs found Ratcliffe, who fired a ball into the circle for Pickering to bury her second of the match, complete with a successful conversion.

Courtney Schonell soon joined the scoreboard, capitalising on another forced turnover as Perth’s defensive unit sliced through the Pride press to find the striker unmarked. Schonell made no mistake, threading her shot through the goalkeeper’s legs to extend the margin to 6-0.

The Pride created a late third-quarter chance, but Newman - who was immense all afternoon - produced another clutch save to keep the clean sheet intact.

Perth continued to push in the final term, generating multiple scoring opportunities, though NSW goalkeeper Tegan Neowhouse stood tall to prevent further damage. At the other end, Newman delivered a standout final quarter, denying several late attempts to ensure the Thundersticks finished with a flawless defensive record.

A dominant and clinical performance from start to finish sees the Perth Thundersticks storm into the 2025 Hockey One Grand Final, carrying strong momentum as they chase the opportunity to go back-to-back this season.

The Thundersticks will face either the Adelaide Fire or Hockey Club Melbourne at 12.45pm AWST tomorrow, Sunday 30 November in the 2025 Women's Grand Final.

Match Details 
Perth Thundersticks 6 - Lexie Pickering (6'/35'/35'), Neasa Flynn (25'/25'), Courtney Schonell (37')
NSW Pride 0
 
Perth Thundersticks team: 2. Jolie Sertorio, 3. Neasa Flynn, 4. Madi Ratcliffe, 5. Courtney Schonell, 6. Sarah Byrnes, 10. Jesse Reid, 11. Rachel Frusher, 12. Liné Malan (C), 14. Saysha Pillay, 15. Belle Ramshaw, 17. Annie Gibbs, 18. Kaitlin Nobbs, 20. Karri Somerville, 22. Zoe Newman (GK), 26. Lexie Pickering, 28. Georgia Wilson, 29. Camila Vaughan (GK)
 
NSW Pride team: 1. Lola Dorman, 3. Chloe Holmes, 5. Chelsea Holmes, 6. Ella Carr, 7. Grace Stewart, 9. Amalia Patterson, 10. Tegan Buchanan, 11. Emma Scriven, 12. Grace Jeffrey (GK), 14. Emmalee Croker, 15. Jenna-Rae McIntyre, 17. Laura Reid, 20. Maddi Smith (C), 21. Lily Neilson, 22. Tegan Neowhouse (GK), 24. Mariah Williams (C), 32. Grace Young

The Perth Thundersticks is proudly supported by Bravo Apples, ERM High Voltage Asset Specialists, Polytan, Session Equity, and Project Innovations. 
 
The Perth Thundersticks Women’s program is also proudly supported by the WA State Government.