Perth Thundersticks chasing glory in 2023 Hockey One season
Men
After that heartbreaking 2-0 loss to NSW Pride left us with a silver medal last year, you can imagine how motivated the Perth Thundersticks men’s squad is going into the new season.
Last year, the Thundersticks boasted red-hot form by kicking off their 2022 campaign with a 5-2 win over Adelaide Fire, where Zalewski scored a second-half hat-trick
The Thundersticks rode that strong form into the next two rounds, with an 8-5 win over Hockey Club Melbourne – where Tom Wickham racked up four goals for the match, and a 3-2 victory over Brisbane Blaze in round three.
The Thundersticks strong start hit the skids when they were handed their first loss of the season, falling just short 4-3 against NSW Pride
Despite suffering a tough penalty shootout loss to Tassie Tigers and a 4-2 loss to Canberra Chill in the rounds that followed, the Thundersticks held on to finish third on the ladder and advance to the semifinals.
After enacting revenge on Canberra Chill with a 6-3 victory to progress to the grand final, the Thundersticks found themselves dismantled by NSW Pride, going on to finish the season taking home the silver medal.
Embarking on the quest to bring home the gold will be Will Battistessa, James Collins, Bryn De Bes, Liam Flynn, Brodee Foster, Cambell Geddes, Tim Geers, Jake Harvie, Tom Harvie, Tyler Lovell, Alistair Murray, Ben Rennie, Tom Wickham and Aran Zalewski
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM
While there are plenty of familiar faces returning to the PTX squad for 2023, the Thundersticks have also welcomed some fresh talent and returning players into the ranks
New additions to the squad include Matt Bird (Fremantle Cockburn Hockey Club), Josh Bowen (Hale Hockey Club), Frank Main (UWA Hockey Club), Marshall Puzey (YMCC Hockey Club), and James Day, who moved west from Canberra Chill following last season
Returning to the Thunderdome this year are Brayden King and former Kookaburra Trent Mitton, both of whom make their comeback after missing the 2022 season
King ran out for Hale Hockey Club during the 2023 Premier League season, featuring in 16 games and forming part of the 2023 premiership team, while Mitton featured in 20 Premier League matches for WASPS Hockey Club and scored 14 goals
Women
After claiming the bronze medal with a convincing 3-0 win over Hockey Club Melbourne last year, the Perth Thundersticks women’s squad will look to continue improving in its third Hockey One season
While the Thundersticks started strong with a 31 win over Adelaide Fire, followed by a 2-0 clean sheet victory over Hockey Club Melbourne, the squad hit a slump in form when they suffered consecutive losses to Brisbane Blaze and NSW Pride
However, the Thundersticks got themselves on track with two quick goals via Georgia Wilson helping them notch their second clean sheet win of the season, defeating Tassie Tigers 3-0.
That form was backed up the following week by holding off Canberra Chill 3-1 to finish in third place on the ladder with a 4-2 record
Despite falling short against NSW Pride 1-0 in the semi-finals, the Thundersticks bounced back in the third-place playoff against Hockey Club Melbourne, with two early goals via Penny Squibb and Georgina Dowd helping them on their way to claim the bronze medal
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM
Lining up for another season with the Thundersticks this year are Sarah Byrnes, Britney Desilva, Georgina Dowd, Elizaberth Duguid, Neasa Flynn, Rachel Frusher, Annie Gibbs, Liné Malan, Aleisha Power, Anna Roberts, Renee Rockliff, Karri Somerville, Penny Squibb, Shanea Tonkin and Georgia Wilson
Along with the many players returning for another season with the Thundersticks, a few new faces have emerged within the squad.
Hoping to make their debut with the Thundersticks this year are Elyssa Melville (Whitford Hockey Club), Kayla O’Sullivan (Victoria Park Xavier Hockey Club), Saysha Pillay (UWA Hockey Club) and Belle Ramshaw (UWA Hockey Club), while Lexie Pickering and Jessie Reid join the squad after moving to WA from NSW Pride and Brisbane Blaze in 2019 respectively.
Making her return to the Thundersticks after missing the 2022 season is Pippa Morgan, who comes into the squad fresh off a stellar Premier League season with UWA Hockey Club featuring in 14 caps and scoring 5 goals for the season
Fixtures
Round 1 – Perth Thundersticks vs Canberra Chill
Saturday 7 October 3:30pm @ Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University
Round 2 – BYE
Round 3 - Tassie Tigers vs Perth Thundersticks
Friday October 20 3:30pm @ The Tasmanian Hockey Centre
Round 4 – Perth Thundersticks vs Hockey Club Melbourne
Sunday October 29 1:30pm @ Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University
Round 5 – Adelaide Fire vs Perth Thundersticks
Sunday November 5 10:30am @ MATE Stadium
Round 6 – Perth Thundersticks vs NSW Pride
Sunday November 12 1:30pm @ Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University
Round 7 – Brisbane Blaze vs Perth Thundersticks
Sunday November 19 12pm @ Queensland State Hockey Centre
4
SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER
PERTH HOCKEY STADIUM AT CURTIN UNIVERSITY
THUNDERSTICKS PERTH
WOMEN’S SQUAD
DOB: 20/05/1998
Nickname: Pip Club: UWA
Favourite hockey memory: Playing Bunbury carnival as a junior. Something about you that would surprise people: I'm a vegetarian for sustainability reasons but I work in oil and gas.
DOB: 27/03/2001
Nickname: Kimmy Club: Victoria Park Xavier
Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Michael B Jordan. Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: Perth Hockey Stadium - not as hard on the legs.
DOB: 13/08/2001
Nickname: Neas Club: UWA
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Vet. What are you most excited for this Hockey One season: Playing with a great bunch of girls again and getting the opportunity to win a flag.
DOB: 04/07/2004
Nickname: Lys Club: Whitford
Which of your team members is your favourite to warm up with: Whoever's around when I finally get my kit on since I'm usually the last one ready. Something about you that would surprise people: Scary movies put me to sleep.
COASTEDGE DEVELOPMENTS
DOB: 01/01/1997
Nickname: Leish Club: Victoria Park Xavier
Which of your team members is your favourite to warm up with: Anyone who will warm me up is my favourite person. Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: None - I just rock up and hope for the best.
DOB: 19/10/2000
Nickname: Byrnesy Club: Hale
Your go-to coffee order: Almond long mac. Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: Always re-tie my shoelaces after putting my shinnies on.
DOB: 09/02/1993
Nickname: Squibb Club: Curtin University
Your favourite hockey memory: Playing my first international game at home here in Perth in 2019 against Great Britain. Your favourite show to binge-watch: Any - recently just finished The Quarterback on Netflix which is pretty good.
DOB: 20/05/1996
Nickname: Willow Club: Victoria Park Xavier
Your go-to coffee order: Chamomile tea. Something about you that would surprise people: I've never drunk alcohol.
DOB: 28/04/1997
Nickname: Nays or Nae Club: North Coast Raiders
Do you come from a hockey family or are you the only player: My whole family plays hockey whether it's social, club, state or for Australia. Very family orientated for me. Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Dua Lipa.
DOB: 13/12/2000
Nickname: Jess Club: UWA
Your favourite show to binge-watch: Grey's Anatomy. Do you come from a hockey family or are you the only player: Hockey is in my blood. Grandad (dad's side) and mother both wore green and gold. #slay
DOB: 13/02/1994
Nickname: Frush Club: Victoria Park Xavier
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Gymnast. Something about you that would surprise people: I played college hockey in America for Maryland University.
12. Liné MALAN
DOB: 20/06/1992
Nickname: Lion or Linnie Club: Hale
13. Lexie PICKERING
DOB: 26/06/2001
Nickname: Sexy Lexie Club: UWA
Something about you that would surprise people: I can speak three languages. Which other sport/s would you play if you couldn't play hockey anymore: Probably do Triathlons or play golf or tennis
Your favourite hockey memory: Scoring the winning goal at an U/11 carnival in Lithgow. We were playing on grass in -5 degrees, and our opposition were wearing pyjama pants. Hockey at its finest.
Elizabeth DUGUID
DOB: 01/07/1992
Nickname: Lizzy Club: WASP
Which of your team members is your favourite to warm up with: Anyone who is willing to warm up the goalie!
Something about you that would surprise people: I'm 5th generation Darwin Chinese.
DOB: 15/11/2002
Nickname: N/A Club: UWA
Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: UWA Superturf because it has a home feeling to me and always has a good atmosphere. Something about you that would surprise people: I have my forklift licence.
16. Saysha PILLAY
DOB: 31/05/2004
Nickname: Saysh Club: UWA
Something about you that would surprise people: I'm a citizen of 3 different countries. Your favourite hockey memory: Winning silver with U/21s in Perth.
17. Annie GIBBS
DOB: 20/05/1998
Nickname: N/A Club: North Coast Raiders
Your favourite hockey memory: First state trip in Alice Springs. When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Paramedic.
18. Renee ROCKLIFF DOB: 31/03/1999
Nickname: Ren Club: Victoria Park Xavier
Your go-to coffee order: Small almond cap extra shot ALWAYS Your favourite show to binge-watch: Quite embarrassing but The Great British Bake-Off.
19. Georgina DOWD DOB: 25/10/2001
Nickname: G Club: Suburban Lions
Your favourite hockey memory: Scoring in the first minute of Thundersticks vs Canberra last year in Hockey One. An amazing feeling to play a game at such a high level, alongside amazing people and good quality players.
20. Karri SOMERVILLE DOB: 07/04/1999
Nickname: Karri Club: Victoria Park Xavier
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: A farmer. Something about you that would surprise people: I only buy clothes from the op-shop.
22. Anna ROBERTS DOB: 07/08/1996
Nickname: Anna Club: North Coast Raiders
Your go-to coffee order: Cup of tea. ��
Do you come from a hockey family or are you the only player: My brother and I used to play together, but not much hockey in the family.
24. Britney DESILVA DOB: 31/03/2002
Nickname: Brit/Britty Club: UWA
Your favourite hockey memory: Playing in the U/21 gold medal match in front of a huge Perth crowd in 2022. Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Hamish Blake and/or Andy Lee.
Day excited to make Thundersticks debut against old team
Perth Hockey Stadium is sure to be set alight this weekend as the Perth Thundersticks get set to open their 2023 Hockey One campaign with a sizzling double-header against Canberra Chill.
The Thundersticks' season opener on Saturday 7 October is made all the more exciting with a potential secret weapon in the form of former Canberra Chill great James Day donning the WA kit for the first time.
James Day moved to the West from ACT five years ago, playing and dominating for Melville City Hockey Club, scoring 36 goals for the Men's Premier Division 1 side this year alone.
In his 2022 Hockey One season with the Canberra Chill, Day scored a total of 8 goals - all from penalty corners - making him the competition's fifth-highest goal-scorer, behind Thundersticks'own Tom Wickham who racked up 9 goals.
Day's connection to Canberra and his bond with his teammates in the Chill was enough to continue travelling East each season. However, with the travel becoming increasingly difficult to managed and the draw of the Thundersticks, he is excited to make his debut into the team
"Canberra is obviously a smaller state, and with WA being such a big hockey state, the Thundersticks are a powerhouse of hockey," he said.
"We have always considered them one of the ones to beat, so it was good (for the Chill) to get a win over them when we could."
Day admits that the Thundersticks have a different game style, environment and team structure from what he had been used to playing with Canberra, but is excited and ready to take on the challenge the team has to offer
"I have good mates in the Canberra team, so it will be different playing against them rather than for them," he said
"They've got some new players in there too, so I expect their style will evolve with the team
"They're going to be tough to play against, I'm just hoping I can carry over my form from last season and play the best I can."
He congratulated the Thundersticks on their silver medal win last season, admitting the Chill's semi-final loss against them was a gut-wrenching feeling, but shares the Thundersticks' hunger to go one better this season.
"I'm just keen to see if we can win it this year," he said.
Not only does Saturday offer Perth hockey fans the Hockey One season-opening match and Day's Thundersticks debut, it also marks Indian International superstar Rupinder Pal Singh's first game for the Canberra Chill.
Widely known as one of the best drag flickers in the world, Singh has represented India on the international stage in two Olympic Games, as well as two Commonwealth Games, leading his team from the front with his role as vice-captain.
While in the Australian A side, Day was able to play against the Indian team, including taking on Singh.
He acknowledged that it will be immensely tough to play against the drag-flicking afficionado, but that he is looking forward to being on the field with him once again
"If he's anything like what he was back then, he'll be drag-flicking the ball pretty hard," Day joked.
Throughout his career, Singh has totalled a remarkable 119 goals, in his 220 international appearances for India and will be a massive addition to the Hockey One league
The last time the Chill and the Thundersticks met was in round 5 of the season at Canberra's National Hockey Centre.
The women's team emerged victorious, besting the home team 3-1, with a thrilling field goal and goal conversion in the first 2 minutes from young gun Georgina Dowd, and an effortless penalty corner goal from Penny Squibb
When the men's team met the Chill last year, they suffered a tough 4-2 defeat, with goals from Tom Wickham and Matt Willis. However, a barrage of goals from Will Battistessa, Brodee Foster, Cam Geddes, as well as a hat-trick from Wickham saw them enact revenge with 6-3 semi-final win.
Witness the opening whistle of what is sure to be the Thundersticks' most thrilling season yet, Saturday October 7 from 3:30pm at Perth Hockey Stadium
THUNDERSTICKS
MEN’S SQUAD
DOB: 19/11/1996
Nickname: Birdy Club: Fremantle Cockburn
Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: Always wear double socks, first layer has to be Australian socks. Which other sport/s would you play if you couldn't play hockey anymore: Does fishing count?
23/04/1998
Nickname: Wilba Club: Victoria Park Xavier
Your favourite hockey memory: Playing a season in England. When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Ice-cream taster.
27/04/1994
Nickname: Geersy Club: Melville City
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: WWE wrestler. Something about you that would surprise people: Outside of hockey, I'm heavily involved with owning and training racehorses.
05/03/1998
Nickname: Specs or Snakeo Club: Westside Wolves
Your favourite hockey memory: Playing for the Thundersticks with my brother Tom and winning two Commonwealth Games with the Kookaburras. Your favourite show to binge-watch: The Office.
26/05/1990
Nickname: TJ Club: UWA
Which of your team members is your favourite to warm up with: I like warming up the GK's. Do you come from a hockey family? My mum played when I was a child. That's how I got into hockey in the first place.
6. Bryn DE BES DOB: 04/07/1996
Nickname: Brynno Club: WASP
Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Patrick Cripps. Something about you that would surprise people: II was an actor in a Bollywood movie, Soorma, which is on Netflix.
7. Tyler LOVELL DOB: 23/05/1987
Nickname: Big T Club: YMCC
Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: Sit down and relax with a coffee. Your go-to coffee order: Long black.
8. Marshall PUZEY DOB: 26/02/1999
Nickname: Mildura, Vic Club: YMCC
Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: YM Stadium - home of the mighty YMCC. Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Kevin Hart.
9. James DAY DOB: 26/06/1994
Nickname: Daisy Club: Melville City
Your favourite hockey memory: Melville's first premiership. Something about you that would surprise people: Eat Maccas before games.
10. Josh BOWEN DOB: 25/01/1997
Nickname: JB Club: Hale
When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Professional tennis player. Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: Hale Turf - I've scored the most goals there!
11. Tom HARVIE DOB: 01/02/2000
Nickname: Harvs Club: Westside Wolves
Your go-to coffee order: I don't drink coffee so a hot/iced chocolate. Something about you that would surprise people: I love fishing.
12. Alistair MURRAY
DOB: 22/01/2000
Nickname: Muz Club: Westside Wolves
Something about you that would surprise people: My first primary school in the country had less than 10 kids in it when I was there.
Do you have any pre-game superstitions? If so, what are they: I like to drink coconut water.
13. Brayden KING DOB: 20/03/1998
Nickname: Kingy Club:Hale
14. Matt WILLIS
DOB: 21/02/1991
Nickname: Matt/Willo Club: Melville City
Your favourite hockey memory: Scoring my first Hockey One goal! Something about you that would surprise people: I can beat Josh Bowen in tennis.
Your go-to coffee order: Anything but coffee. Something about you that would surprise people: I have umpired an international hockey match.
15. Liam FLYNN DOB: 30/04/1997
Nickname: Rowdy Club: Hale
Your favourite show to binge-watch: Yellowstone. Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: Hale - home club bias.
16. Brodee FOSTER DOB: 21/06/2002
Nickname: Brod Club: Reds
Which other sport/s would you play if you couldn't play hockey anymore: Golf for sure.
Your favourite turf to play on in WA and why: Aquinas when it's wet. Just nice and slick, easy to do everything on.
17. Aran ZALEWSKI DOB: 21/03/1991
Nickname: Moose Club: Reds
Your favourite hockey memory: Playing in the muddy grass of Margaret River.
Something about you that would surprise people: Love my cooking.
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS MATCH-DAY PROGRAM
DOB: 28/09/1990
Nickname: Rennie Club: Fremantle Cockburn
Which other sport/s would you play if you couldn't play hockey anymore: I would love to give Ice Hockey a go!
Celebrity you'd most like to meet: Michael Jordan - I have a feeling he would have some great stories!
DOB: 06/01/1992
Nickname: Franky Club: UWA
Your favourite show to bingewatch: Succession
Something about you that might surprise people: I went to Chandigarh to be in a Bollywood hockey movie called Soorma which is on Netflix!
DOB: 18/06/2002
Nickname: Geddes Club: UWA
Your go-to coffee order: English Breakfast. Something about you that might surprise people: I'm good at Rubik's cubes
DOB: 26/11/1990
Nickname: Mitts Club: WASP
Do you come from a hockey family or are you the only player: Father and Grandfather played hockey for Australia. Brother has played 300 games for WASPs. When you were a kid, what did you say you wanted to be when you grew up: Chef
DOB: 25/02/2000
Nickname: Jimmy Club: Victoria Park Xavier
Your favourite show to bingewatch: I enjoy binge-watching The Mentalist and The Office (US) Something about you that would surprise people: I won a hip hop dance award when I was young.
18. Ben RENNIE 20. Frank MAIN 23. Cam GEDDES