The SmokeFree WA Thundersticks have pulled off an upset in the Australian Hockey League (AHL) Grand Final for the second year in a row, defeating the highly fancied OAMPS Queensland Blades in the Grand Final in Hobart.

The victory is WA's 8th national title, the most of any AHL team, while this is the 6th Grand Final within eight years where these two teams have met.

Having not lost a game throughout the Finals Week and sitting on top of the points table for the majority of the tournament, the Blades entered the match as favorites.

However with the knowledge that they defeated Queensland in last years Grand Final when they were once again strong favorites, WA were not intimidated by the Blades.

This was evident from the beginning of the match where WA attacked the Queensland goal relentlessly, looking to draw first blood.

After a lot of persistence their efforts paid off, with Jonathon Charlesworth drawing a penalty corner at the 11 minute mark, which was converted by team-mate Brent Dancer.

Finding themselves down on the scoreboard Queensland soon responded, with youngster Jason Wilson leveling the score only six minutes later to add to his goal scoring tally throughout the tournament.

WA remained disciplined, and where other teams struggled to penetrate the Queensland defense in the past, WA found the gaps which placed an enormous amount of pressure on Queensland goalkeeper Stephen Lambert.

Eventually this pressure mounted, with Trent Mitton converting a well worked goal from the WA team to once again regain the lead into the half time break.

The high intensity of the match continued well into the second half, with Queensland desperately trying to level the score.

Although WA continued to attack, as the game wore on it was Queensland who eventually began to gain the momentum, relentlessly attacking the WA goals within the last 15 minutes.

Credit must go to WA goalkeeper Ross Meadows who stopped several Queensland attacks, including two legitimate chances within the last minute.

Kookaburra and WA defender Fergus Kavanagh said although Queensland entered the match as favorites, the team drew confidence from last year's Grand Final upset.

ÔÇ£We showed last year what can happen on Gran Final day. More importantly, we drew confidence from our recent victories over Victoria and Tasmania where we played quite well. There was a bit of pressure on us to repeat last years success without key players such as Bevan George, Kiel Brown and Aaron Hopkins, but this is a really close young group who performed really well,ÔÇØ said Kavanagh.

Brent Livermore was named player of the tournament, while WA's Graeme Begbie was named player of the Finals.

Australian Hockey League Grand Final:
SmokeFree WA Thundersticks - OAMPS Queensland Blades 2-1
Goals: WA - Dancer 11m PC, Mitton 22m FG; QLD - Wilson 17m FG

Final Positions:
1. SmokeFree WA Thundersticks
2. OAMPS Queensland Blades
3. NSW Waratahs
4. Victorian Vikings
5. Tassie Tigers
6. NT Stingers
7. Southern Hotshots
8. Canberra Lakers

Source: Hockey Australia


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2015