High-scoring Perth Thundersticks and perennial contenders Brisbane Blaze have fought their way through to the Hockey One women's final after matching wins in Tasmania.
Perth, who had never previously finished higher than third, booked their spot in the season decider with a 3-1 victory over the Tassie Tigers in the first semi-final at Hobart’s Tasmanian Hockey Centre.
Two-time champions Brisbane came from 1-0 down to beat NSW Pride 3-1 to ensure they maintained their record of never finishing lower than second in the competition.
Although they were held to their joint-lowest score of the season, the Thundersticks have rattled up 39 goals this season, 13 more than Brisbane.
Defending champions Brisbane were the only side to avoid defeat against Perth, drawing 6-6 in their regular season encounter with the Blaze edging the shootout 5-4.
Lexie Pickering scored five times for Perth In that game and was also on the scoresheet in Saturday’s semi-final.
“We were joking before it even started that Perth were the top favourite to win, so David and Goliath type situation,” dual Olympian and Blaze player Taylor told 7plus.
“I’m not sure who is David and who is Goliath, but I think It will be a great match.”
Perth started poorly on Saturday with two players getting a card in the first five minutes and Dutch penalty corner ace Gitte Michels putting the home team ahead in the sixth.
The Thundersticks' pressure told, with Pickering notching her 13th goal of the season and she set up Neasa Flynn’s emphatic finish for the go-ahead score.
Tasmania goalkeeper Evie Dalton kept her side in the game, foiling conversion attempts after both first-half goals.
Dutch superstar Eva Drummond’s third-quarter goal from a penalty corner, completed the scoring, with Dalton making some more good saves.
In the second semi, Brisbane scored from three penalty corners in three minutes either side of three-quarter time to overturn a halftime deficit.
After a goalless first half of very few clearcut opportunities, Great Britain star and Pride import Hannah French opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a fine solo effort.
Madison Fitzpatrick Claire ColwIll and Jade Smith all goaled just either side of the three-quarter time break, with Brisbane having ten penalty corners to the Pride’s two.
“You’ve got to work for it and eventually rocks do break and they do fall down,” Taylor said.
Tasmania, who had never finished higher than seventh before, will face NSW for the bronze medal.
