Australia Hockey League Champions 2013 - Queensland Blades

Congratulations to Queensland Blades whose hat-trick of penalty corner strikes was enough to seal a memorable 3-1 victory over hosts Victoria. It is the Queenslanders' seventh national men's title and marks the continuation of their winning pattern, marking a third 'double' following their 2012 triumph and back-to-back wins in 2003 and 2004, and 2006 and 2007. For Victoria, despite defeat, it marks the team's best finish since the old Melbourne Redbacks won the national championship in 1998. 

Match reporting by Sean Munaweera, Hockey Victoria

GRAND FINAL
QLD 3 def VIC 1
QLD goals: Jame Dwyer 9m PC, Liam De Young 33m PC, Jason Wilson 22m PC
VIC  goals: Chris Ciriello 35m PC

The QLD Blades were continuing their charge to yet another final with the VIC Vikings appearing in the final with a home ground advantage.  The crowds were filing in and the noise was intense for the players ready to put on a show.

The last time these two sides met they could not be separated but this time there could only be one winner.  The Blades were outnumbering the ball carrier and applying pressure to overwhelm the Vikings' game.

QLD were awarded with the first penalty corner of the match, which they were unable to convert; a first psychological win for the Vikings.  Unfortunately for the Vikings the second attempt did not disappoint for the Blades as five-times world player of the year Jamie Dwyer stepped up to score the first goal of the game.

As important as the first goal is to settle the nerves, it is just as important to ensure structures and formations are in place so that the team can regroup.  With their first penalty corner the Vikings leveled the score 1 – 1 thanks to the quick work from another Kookaburra, Chris Ciriello.

The match was now perfectly poised.  The ever impressive Blades were facing the youthful enthusiasm of the Vikings and with five minutes of the first half to go the players were not giving an inch.  Players were stuck to their opponents and the ball was hard to possess but even harder to distribute.

With minutes to go the Blades were gifted a penalty corner due to an unfortunate defensive error from the Vikings.  The Blades scored and with only moments left before the whistle another penalty corner was awarded to QLD.  This first half went from good, to bad, to ugly all too quickly for the Vikings as they went into the halftime break trailing the Blades 3 – 1.

Needing an obvious lift the Vikings came out firing in the second half and continued to persist in order to get their opportunities.  The Blades were not letting up as they maintained their composure in possession and took vital minutes off the clock.

The play in the second half was more attacking for the Blades but not significant enough to trouble the scoreboard.  With 20 minutes to go the Vikings again pressed up the ground and locked the ball in their half.  Four minutes of attacking did not mount to chances or penalty corners for the VICs as they still needed two goals to level the score.

Finally, a penalty corner against the run of play for the Vikings gave them a chance but a misjudged drag flick sent the ball sailing over the post.  With four minutes to go in the match another penalty corner for the Vikings wasn't converted and the Blades held on for a memorable victory.

An absolutely fantastic final was completed when the amazingly talented QLD Blades were awarded the 2013 AHL championship cup for the seventh time.  The VIC Vikings have gone one better than previous years to claim second spot and should be commended on providing a truly inspiring spectacle.

One worry will be for Mark Knowles, who left the field injured in the second half. The experienced Kookaburra was able to join his teammates for celebrations afterwards but was clearly still in some pain as he supported his right angle with a hockey stick.

Team Roster

Daniel Beale, Robert Bell, Andrew Butturini, Liam De Young, Justin Douglas, Jamie Dwyer, Troy Elder, Adam Imer, Matthew Gohdes, Robert Hammond, Shane Kenny, Mark Knowles, Kane Posselt, Matthew Swann, David Watts, Jake Whetton, Jason Wilson, Dylan Wotherspoon

Final Standings

1. Queensland
2. Victoria
3. New South Wales
4. Australian Capital Territory
5. Tasmania
6. Northern Territory
7. Western Australia
8. South Australia

Awards

Player of the Tournament: Eddie Ockenden (TAS)
Top goal scorer: Aaron Kershaw (ACT), Mark Paterson (NSW) 5 goals
Goalkeeper of the T’ment: Andrew Charter (ACT)
Play by the Whistle: South Australia

Original Article from http://www.hockey.org.au/