MEN - Competition Finals

Saturday
Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
2.55 p.m. Northern Star v Waratahs

Hunt Park, Labrador
2.30 p.m. Coraki v Mullumbimby

Sunday
Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah
1:30 p.m. Winner Semi 1 v Winner Semi 2

Does Hockey Form Predict Performance?
This year's J.H.Williams Premier Hockey League finals have finally arrived. And the hockey public have been blessed with some exceptional lead up games leaving all and sundry glued to the edge of the seats.

The loss of last year's premiers Allstars without even a bully looked to have robbed the competition of some intensity. But this year a number of other teams stepped into the fray to forge their own place in history.

At this stage last year Coraki had only won one match and Northern Star two. However this year both teams have reached the JHWPHL finals weekend without a loss with both topping their respective pools. But before we align these teams into the final, we have to look at their semi final competition.

At Hepburn Park Goonellabah Northern Star take on the perennial finalist Waratahs in what is sure to be a blistering affair. After losing to Coraki last weekend Waratahs had looked gone given the intensity of their pool with Burleigh meeting the inconsistent Mudgeeraba. But a Steve Hammond goal nine seconds from time changed their fortunes with Burleigh losing their only match.

Star has decimated their pool competition. While this is impressive, this pool has been the weaker of the two with a bye thrown in for good measure. So in terms of preparation Star will have to overcome this perceived barrier.

And another possible barrier to top performance for Star is the recent injury to match winner Mark Harris. After copping a ball to the eye in Brisbane Harris had more than thirty stiches inserted into the area.

With Harris unlikely to play and Brad Hassett and first goalkeeper Aaron Head out Star will be undermanned. However the return of bothers James and Matt Harmon will surely boost their confidence along with the home advantage.

But Waratahs have named an unchanged side to the one that went down to Coraki. Tim Willis and his boys have been cock-o-hoop with their fortunes and clearly have a return match with Coraki in their sights. Michael and Dwayne Newell in the forwards, James Walker in the centre and Jamie Hetherington in defence will make it hard for Star.

At Hunt Park, Labrador, Coraki will meet Mullumbimby in the other semi-final. And the first impression that comes form this game is a David v Goliath style meeting with Mullum the minnows.

But one thing is for sure Mullum's big heart and constant running style will leave nothing in reserve. For instance Brendan Iwanuscha and Simon Johnston are Mullum's best strikers will be looking to make every opportunity a winner against the stout Coraki defence.

And with injuries and unavailability Coraki will have a couple of question marks about their team. Warren Birmingham (Saturday), David Bodley, Peter Ryan and Cory Thomas are all unavailable. While injury clouds still persist with Adrian McGrath, Trent Brown, Matt Moss and Scott Gallagher.

However Ben Moss's recent super performances have given Coraki an extra bow to their armoury. And Mitchell Dunstan gives Moss some exceptional support in attack. And in defence Chris 'Chad' Morgan and Michael Grande are exceptionally tough to overcome.

Final Pointscore

Pool 1: Coraki 19(+10), Waratahs 16(+9), Burleigh 14(+6), Capri 12(+8), Mudgeeraba 9(-1), Casuarina 5(-7), Ballina 4(-9), United 1(-14).

Pool 2: Northern Star 18(+16)#, Mullumbimby 15(+11)#, East Lismore 9(-1)#, Labrador 6(1)#, Alstonville 7(-6)#, Redbacks 4(-7)#, Kingscliff 3(-12)#. (#Denotes Bye)

WOMEN - Competition Finals

Saturday
Hepburn Park, Goonellabah
4.20 p.m. Glee v Casuarina

Hunt Park, Labrador
4.00 p.m. Labrador v Mullumbimby

Sunday
Barry Smith Field, Murwillumbah
11.30 a.m. Winner Semi 1 v Winner Semi 2

Will Defending Premiers Labrador Extend Their Run?

In Women's J.H.Williams Premier hockey league finals all three associations are represented. This year Tweed Border supply two teams with FNC and Gold Coast supplying one apiece. With women's competition so much closer than the men's competition all teams had to battle so much harder to earn semi final positions.

Last years premiers Labrador are back again to defend their title. And currently they have rarely put their strongest team on the paddock. But as always the big games tend to spark Labrador into bringing their best players and their special brand of ruthlessness.

In the first semi final Glee have secured the top pool position and the home ground advantage. While looking less than convincing in their early season form, Glee have settled into a very productive groove. And not losing a match on their way through to the finals puts them into a strong position.

The attacking flair of Cassie Douglas, Kim Chappel and Nicole Danvers has consistently terrorised defences to set Glee apart from their opposition. And most impressive in their recent form is the defeat of Waratahs at home last week.

And apart from Glee's attacking strength is their defence with goalkeeper Raechel Alback, Margie Pembroke and Nicole Munns leading the second most effective defence in the competition. But Glee's one weakness has been their midfield. And against Casuarina this is one area that is likely to get some extra attention.

After spending a few weeks with many of their best players unavailable Casuarina have finally managed to put it all together for the finals. Hannah Rafferty will be welcomed back into the midfield allowing them many more options and flexibility.

While in attack Casuarina's Kim Tuckwell is a master tactician who gains tremendous support from Katrina Springfield and Margie Coleman. And in defence newly married goalkeeper Hope Miller and Lou Ferguson have rarely given up too much to any opposition.

At Hunt Park Labrador, Labrador's job has been so much easier with Mullumbimby's loss of strikers Kim Chappel and Nicole Danvers leaving a gaping hole in their attack. With both players dual registered with FNC and Tweed Border this is the downside of a successful campaign and an uncompromising draw.

Labrador though will not have the match all their own way with the Saturday semi final sure to clash with players in the Brisbane competition. However Claire Jackson, Laura Shillito and Belinda Morrison have been consistent performers this year. And Jackson, Shillito and Morrison form an exceptionally structured midfield that is the envy of most other teams.

While it is debateable if Marnie Hudson and Kylie McEniery are to take the field Saturday, Jaclyn and Jenna Wilson have still been very effective in attack with a number of their younger players.

Given the unavailability of Chappel and Danvers the pressure falls back to youngster Sam Iwanuscha to lead Mullum's attack. But it is the lack of attacking depth that may cause them their most trouble.

The experience and drive of Megan Shepherd, Alicia Harvey and eveready Jo Tunstall form the heart of Mullum's structure. However Tunstall's recent unavailability may further weaken the team.

Final Pointscore
Pool 1: Glee 13(+9)##, Mullumbimby 10(+5)##, Waratahs 9(+2)##, East Lismore 6(-1)##, Mudgeeraba 3(-6)##, Kingscliff 3(-9)##.

Pool 2: Labrador 14(+19)#, Casuarina 13(+13)#, United 12(-1)#, Griffith 8(0), Ballina 7(-6)#,
Northern Star 3(-11)#, Alstonville 1(-14). (# Bye)

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Jim Challenor - BHMS (Ex Sci)