HC Melbourne Are Set For Hockey One Finals

HC Melbourne's men's and women's team will rest up and go into the final weekend of the Hockey One season full of confidence after each winning their final games. With Melbourne Sports Centre set to host the finals at the end of November, both teams would be eyeing that weekend as a must attend. Well both will. In front of a packed grandstand, both teams put on a great show.

HC Melbourne's Men had a 9-1 victory over Canberra Chill

Having already booked a spot into the finals, the HC Melbourne women's side took on Canberra Chill. After an uneventful first quarter, but for a few penalty corner chances. Sam Love breaks the deadlock in the 17th minute, to put HC Melbourne ahead. The Chill would hit back five minutes later. After winning a penalty corner and then repeat corner after repeat corner they won a penalty stroke. Olivia Shannon scored from the spot to level the game at 1-1. A turning point in the match was Alice Arnott being issued a 10-minute yellow card towards the end of third quarter.

The 48th minute appeared to be a back breaker. HC Melbourne win but botch a penalty corner and then Canberra go down the other end and win a penalty corner. With the game level and down a player, Georgina West scored from that penalty corner to but the Chill in front. HC Melbourne wouldn't go away and Rebecca Greiner levelled the game with a little more than a minute to go after Chill goalie, Alyssa Smith was not decisive enough with her kicking clearance. In a crazy last minute, Hannah Cotter's shot hits the post and as time expires on the fourth quarter and the score line reads 2 all. Both teams share two points with the fifth and final point to be decided in a shootout.

Despite going 1-0 down in the shootout, HC Melbourne's Bridget Laurance has a brilliant shootout as her Melbourne teammate's in Love, Olivia Downes and Cotter find the back of the net. This gave the shootout to HC Melbourne 3-1, resulting in their season ending with 3 wins and 1 shootout win, currently putting them second on the Women's ladder.

The men's game would have to be one of the most skilful games Hockey One has ever seen. HC Melbourne went down early as Hayden Dillion goaled in the third minute after failing to convert early penalty corner chances. A Cooper Burns two-minute green card for a really lazy tackle didn't effect the home side as after the card expired, Daniel Smits scored from the penalty corner to level the game. The penalty corner piece also lead to Nathan Ephraums put HC Melbourne in front in the 18th minute. Those in black and gold really began to dominate the game and get chances but they couldn't add to their lead by half-time. Cooper Burns missed a great chance after a brilliant build-up in the 26th minute. Melbourne lead the penalty corner stat 9-1 at half-time.

The second half was all about HC Melbourne. Ephraums goaled in the 31st minute, In the 35th minute, Craig Marais goals and converts and Smits from a penalty corner, pretty quickly broke the game wide open. By the 37th minute, Oliver Will scored his first goal for HC Melbourne with his teammates getting around him and the lead was 7-1. There was one last goal and conversion from Ephraums in the 51st minute. He was able to make it double digits for his side as what first appeared a last-second goal was disallowed. He had to settle with four, poor guy. HC Melbourne were victors by 9 goals to 1.

Hockey One ladder after round six for men (left) and women (right)

HC Melbourne's men side are on top for now but with the Brisbane Blaze just one point behind and set to play the bottom of the ladder Adelaide Fire in the last week, that is likely not to stay. The Blaze beat HC Melbourne in round 4 in Melbourne after putting on five goals by the time most people had found their seats. HC Melbourne's best hockey is arguably the best of anyone, in men's and women's, but certainly this men's side who will attempt to defend the title they won in Hobart last year. The Blaze men certainly match up the best. They will have to start fast, as Melbourne love a big second half and limit the amount of penalty corners Melbourne win. That battery with Burns and Ephraums and Smits is such a strong combinations.

No doubt the grandstands will be packed again for one last brilliant weekend of hockey in Melbourne.