Archive for September, 2010

A few photo’s from the Grand Finals of our top teams – will be updated as we photos are uploaded

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A bumper crowd of almost 2000 people turned out for the State League 1 Mens Grand Final to see
Waverley take on Hawthorn. With the 2 clubs having such a rich history of Grand Final battles in the
last decade an enthralling match was on the cards.

After an obvious nervousness start by both sides which is expected in the biggest game of the year,
both teams eventually settled and the battle began.

With neither side gaining the upper hand early, Hawthorn managed to make the most of their attack
and after finding the foot of a Waverley defender they had an opportunity to score off of a Penalty
Corner. A set of 3 great saves by keeper Tom Scott wasn’t enough to keep out Hawthorn as the third
shot broke the deadlock and Hawthorn took the lead 1-0.

Waverley didn’t panic and at the restart went back to implementing their game plan. Being in a
similar position in their previous final, the Panthers had the trust in each other that they work their
way back into the match.

With a focus pre-match on winning penalty corners from coach Zac Hawes, the forwards didn’t let
him down setting up the equalising goal from such a play. Tim Wischusen, with composure, guided
the ball past the prone keeper and into the back of the net finishing off a well earned penalty corner
by the Waverley forwards.

A series of strong attacks saw the Panthers earn another penalty corner and this time Stephen Jarvis
stepped up for the Panthers as he has done so reliably throughout the year and sent the ball zinging
low into the back of the net sending the Panthers into the half time break with a 2-1 lead.

The half time address by coach Hawes urged the team to continue executing the plan but be to be
aware of Hawthorn doing something different to try and find a way of scoring. A few subtle changes
and a rehashing of the same message sent the Panthers back out on to the pitch confident that they
could get the job done.

The second half didn’t go to plan as a wild tackle by Waverley striker Wes Moore saw him sent to the
sin bin as punishment for a sliding tackle that took out a Hawthorn defender. Down to just 10 men,
the Panthers dug deep in and increased their running game to ensure they maintained their lead and
maintained their ascendancy on the match.

After gaining all 11 players back on the pitch the Panthers began to dominate the match. Slick ball
movement and player rotations saw the Panthers control possession and play with the ball in their
attacking half.

Lewis Matthews got the crowd to their feet after following the play in from the top of the circle, he
pounced on a defensive error and from the tightest of margins snuck the ball in past a desperate
Hawthorn defender to give the Panthers a handy 3-1 lead.

A couple of costly errors saw 2 Hawthorn players received yellow cards presenting the Panthers
with the opportunity to go for the jugular and put the game beyond doubt. A retreating Hawthorn
defence set up a perimeter around Waverley’s attacking circle and whilst the Panthers did have the
majority of possession they were unable to turn it into scoring opportunities, continuously denied by
a resilient opposition.

As Hawthorn regained their full team and Waverley’s inability to convert after controlling the ball for
such an extended period, the Hawks confidence grew and they thought they were still a chance to
cause an upset. A breakaway raid by Hawthorn followed by some slick passing and a deft touch by
a striker, saw the ball elude Waverley’s defence and find its way into the back of the net. With 12
minutes on the clock we had a game on our hands.

With Waverley desperate to hold on to their narrow lead and Hawthorn striving for an equaliser,
the tempo began to soar. With the crowd in full voice the a spirited Hawthorn upped the ante
and found holes in the Waverley defence, earning themselves a series of penalty corners and
opportunity to even the score.

As the ball was pushed out to the top of the circle, Waverley’s Corey Joseph was like brick wall,
denying the Hawks any chance of getting a shot away by putting his body in the line of fire. With
Joseph denying a goal, his efforts saw the Hawthorn awarded another corner and this time it was
keeper Tom Scott’s turn to deny Hawthorn’s efforts with a superb save diving to his right.

As the minutes passed by the pressure increased. Maintaining the structure that had gotten them
into this winning position the Panthers tried to hold the ball in their attacking half. Sneaking into the
attacking corners of the pitch Tim Wischusen used his skills to milk some time of the clock. As each
second ticked by it became clear that the game became a challenge of whether Waverley could hold
on to their slender lead, or Hawthorn would score an equaliser and send the game into overtime.

With only a couple of minutes on the clock each team tried to carry out their plans and as the siren
sounded it was Waverley holding on by the smallest of margins and taking out the State League 1
Premiership for 2010.

Waverley played Essendon on the weekend in the women’s State League 1 grand final.

Waverley welcomed back their Australian representative, Stacia Joseph into the squad for the finals series.

Essendon might have been the favourites for the day but that was not how the game started. Waverley made several good plays going forward in the first 20 minutes of the match but were unable to capitalise. The first half of the game was played at frenetic pace.

Half time the score remained at nil all.

Essendon started the stronger side in the 2nd half and put the Waverley defence under the test. However Waverley turned up the pressure through Paula Diaz-Oliva. The Waverley defender was having a great game, snuffing out any threat and frustrating Essendon’s plans of attack through the middle of the pitch.

Christine Johnstone and Lauren Law too were doing an outstanding marking the dangerous Georgia Nanscawen. The Hockeyroo squad member and number one Essendon striker was kept quiet for the match.

As the clock ran down in the final few minutes of the 2nd half, the score line remained at nil all. Essendon kept pressing forward and with seconds remaining they were awarded a penalty corner.

Luckily for the Panthers the ball went wide of the goal signalling the end of regular time.

The teams now played extra time, 7 and ½ minutes each way.

Renee Trost and Leah Merret were working tirelessly as attacking mid-fielders. Running and putting pressure on the Essendon defence.

After the first period of extra time there was still no score, and with only 7 ½ minutes left to play, the Waverley team huddled together, with Captain Trost reaffirming tactics.

Again Essendon were awarded another penalty corner for the match. An Essendon striker found herself in space near the top of the circle, the shot was saved by the Waverley keeper, Sue-Anne Hocking. The ball rebounded out and Essendon again had a shot which was once again saved by the Waverley keeper. As the ball spilled free Carly Eastman in deep defence cleared the ball to safety.

Both teams now pushed for the winner but with time running out a draw was looking the likely result.

The clock ran down to signal the end of double extra time and Waverley prepared for a penalty shoot out.

Waverley came out winners 5-4 on penalty strokes. Waverley’s keeper Sue-Anne Hocking made a great save to see her team the 2010 State League 1 champions.

Best for Waverley: Sue-Anne Hocking, Paula Diaz-Oliva, Renee Trost, Emily Paton

Injuries: Carly; right ankle (and a little pride)

If you have not yet registered your child for the upcoming 2010 Summer Stix competition at Waverley, then head over to the Summer Stix section of the website where the registration forms are now available for download. Please complete and return them as soon as possible to secure a spot in this popular competition!

This coming weekend, Saturday 18th September / Sunday 19th September, is shaping up to be a big weekend for the Waverley Hockey Club with both State League 1 and Pennant A Men’s and Women’s teams in their relevant Grand Finals. We also have two junior teams in finals on the Friday night. A number of activites are planned so please read on for details.

Friday

We have two junior teams in finals on Friday night:

• Under 13 Shield SNHC at 6.15pm
• Under 15 Moorabbin at 7.30pm

There will be pizza and drinks back at the clubrooms for two junior finals teams and their supporters. The cost will be $5 a head.

Saturday

Another two big finals on Saturday with both mens and womens Pennant A teams facing off for the premiership.

• 2pm Womens Pennant A vs Hawthorn SHNC
• 4pm Mens Pennant A vs Altona SHNC

From 5.30pm onwards there will be plenty of food back at the club including,

• Hamburgers, Chicken fillets, sausages
• Baked potatoes and sour cream
• Assorted homemade salads and bread rolls
• Dip platters
• Pizza served later

The cost will be $8 per person or $20 per family, Champion players free! So make sure you come back to the club after the games to celebrate the season.

Sunday

Finally on Sunday the big event, mens and womens State League 1 grand finals. Every member and their family should be at the State Hockey Centre to support our top teams in the most important games of the season.

• 1.30pm Womens SL1 vs Essendon
• 3.30pm Mens SL1 vs Hawthorn

As in previous years has seen a bus transfer organised from Waverley to the State Hockey Centre on a return trip for supporters/ players/club members/families etc, and we hope this year will be no different. A  double decker bus is available for us to book, should we be able to fill seats.

We need to know numbers of who would be interested in a seat on the bus for the State League 1 games on SUNDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER.

Depending on numbers, pricing will vary between $20-$25 per person for a return trip, leaving at midday from WHC and roughly 6pm from the SNHC. We strongly urge that we all put our hands up for a seat on the bus, inclusive of coaches and managers.

Drinks can be consumed on the bus, however NO GLASS. Esky’s can be brought along for the ride and left behind on the bus during the day for consuming from the SNHC back to the clubrooms (please remember everything in moderation!).

All WHC players, coaches and supporters alike who have followed the progress of the WHC and all teams throughout the year who would like to be apart of this exciting weekend ahead, are urged to grab a seat!

Could you please respond to Rachel Sheppard on 0439 360 922 mobile ASAP or email Rachel at rach_sheppard@hotmail.com

The bus will need to be booked as early as possible this week so prompt replies are required.

Once again food will be served at the clubrooms from 5.30pm cost as above. If you can’t make it Saturday, make sure you are there Sunday after the game!

Finally good luck to all the teams!

Due to popular demand and the realisation that the orginal date would clash with the SL1 Grand Finals (which sees both our Men’s and Women’s SL1 Teams playing in) the Waverley Junior Hockey Presentation Night has been postponed to Sunday 17th October. For futher details please see the attached flyer.

Thank you very much to the parents who have forwarded on some great photos for us to use during the Presentation Night. we are still very keen to keep on receiving photos – especially from our U15 and 17 teams. Please send the photos to Robyne.Bowering@Monash.edu
I have had a number of parents indicate that they are willing to assist during the Presentation Day – if you are able to volunteer for half an hour I would also like to hear from you (Robyne.Bowering@Monash.edu).

Click the link below for the flyer:

Junior Presentation Celebration 2010

The day started off with the loss of 3 regular players. James WEBB, Shaun GILLESPIE and Wil CHRISTIE were called in to help out.

Waverley had the best of the opening play with most of it being played in our attacking 50. But once again our last past and finishing let us down. David HOWSON was good in both attack and defence not letting his opponent, although twice the size of him, get the better of him. Tim STOCKS and Daniel DOBBINS made several good runs up front and provided good quality leads and pressure to the La Trobe uni defence.

After 15 minutes the tide turned and La Trobe were able to place plenty of pressure on our defence. We found it hard to bring it out of defence with Michael KRUMMANACHER, Michael DUNNE, Darryl SEEDSMAN Todd COPE and Kendall BROWN taking plenty of punishment. Goalie Deon STERGIOU made a few great saves but eventually La Trobe were able to capitalise with the first goal of the game.

The game then went back and forward and the panthers still kept attacking with Greg STRYDOM leading many attacking raids down the left hand side, with one coming off as he put a kind of tomma past the goalies left hand.

La Trobe hit back pretty much straight away to make the game 2-1 at half time.

The talk at half time was positive with an emphasis on patience and more help to get the ball out of defence.

The 2nd half was better with the improved patience and structure.

Tim STOCKS was creating havoc down the right hand side making several runs only to be picked off at the last turn, except for one where he was able to score a cracking goal.

The game tightened up with neither team able to gain the advantage and the game finished at 2-2.

Extra time was played and the 1st part was the same with neither team able to gain the advantage. In the 2nd portion of extra and with only 2 minutes to go La Trobe gained a short corner and where able to put in s great shot to the right hand side of Deon STERGIOU ending the game and our season.

Player of the game for my money was Deon STERGIOU.

Thanks to all that came to watch us. Congratulation to State League men and women and pennant A men and women for making it to the grand final. See you there to support you.

After a long and arduous season, Waverley’s Mens and Womens State League Teams have both qualified to fight it out for the premiership.  With both sides having finished on top at the end of the home and away season, they found themselves in troubled waters this week after falling short in the semi final rounds of the final series.

The Women took to the pitch first and were faced with a determined Doncaster team, hoping to knock off the mighty Panthers.  With the Australian star Stacia Joseph returning to add strength in the midfield it was the opposition that we able to capitalise on early penetration taking the lead 1-0.  In a hotly contested first half with both sides surging into attack, the defence for both teams stood strong and the goal lead held by Doncaster saw them head in to the break holding the upper hand.

Waverley didn’t panic and came out into the 2nd half lifting their work rate and upping the ante.  Waiting to take their chance, the panthers were able to slot a goal and level the scores 1 all.  In an intense final 10 minutes, both sides pushed hard into attack and but again were unable to find the back of the net.  At full time the scores were locked at 1 all and the game went into overtime.

7.5 minutes each way was the opportunity for either side to break the deadlock. If at the end of extra time the scores were still tied, the Panthers would progress thorugh due to their superior placing on the ladder. Thankfully all their hard work and consistency during the season paid dividends and with no side able to score in extra time, this scenario was played out and ladies will now seek a rematch with Essendon who upset them in the semi.

With the girls through to the big one, the men took the pitch hoping to follow suit.  Camberwell was the opposition, a club with a rich history playing against Waverley in the finals were going to be tough to beat.  Having done our homework, the Panthers were confident that they could get the job done but now it was a matter of getting the job done and not paying lip service to preparation.

Both sides started strongly seeing the game tempo set at a cracking pace.  At the midway point in the first half, Camberwell had begun to dominate the midfield with their slick passing and ball movements catching the Panthers on the hop.  A nice diving finish by a Camberwell player caught Waverley’s defence off balance and Camberwell took the lead 1 nil.

In a similar story to the Women’s match, both sides created many chances but none were converted and as halftime came around, the Panthers found themselves trailing by a goal.

At half time, a relaxed coach Zac Hawes laid out a simple platform for us to take into the 2nd half.  Whilst not showing on the scoreboard the Panthers had their chances to be at least level, if not infront of Camberwell.  With a few tweaks here and there to the original plan, the Panthers took the pitch, with all systems set to attack.

Tightening up in Waverley’s marking through the midfield, an increase in turnovers by the opposition began to build the Panthers confidence.  In a fast counter attack down the left, Wes Moore’s desperation saw him slot the equaliser in an almost rugby try type effort, sliding with the ball in to the back of the net.

With the taste of victory in the air, the Panthers went for the jugular.  Again after a strong dispossession and quick counter attack, the Panthers finished off a well executed penalty corner to take the lead 2-1.  Moore again the ‘money’ man, expertly deflecting the ball in on his reverse.

A brilliant goal from a diving effort by striker Nick Dallimore put the game beyond doubt and with 6 minutes left on the clock the Panthers looked home.  Camberwell had other plans and after playing in a tight elimination final last week where they came from behind with a matter of minutes to go, they were confident they could peform an upset.  They didn’t disappoint their fans, slotting a goal and taking the scores to 3-2 with 2 minutes to go.

Although under intense pressure, the Panthers kept their cool and denied Camberwell’s super human effort to take the game into extra time.  As the clock hit zero, the Panthers players threw their hands into the air as a sign of relief that they were through to the grandfinal.

With both the Men and Women having lost to their grandfinal opponent in earlier finals, they now have an opportunity to seek revenge and in the process take out the premiership in Victoria’s top Hockey leagues.

The first semi-final was hosted at Waverley between the minor premiers Waverley and Doncaster.
The weather was supposed to be really bad but it turned out to be ok. Which allowed for a decent crowd to turn up to watch. It was expected to be a danger game with the 2 games against them this year hotly contested.
The game started with Doncaster gaining the upper hand putting all the pressure on the Waverley defence. The back 3 of Deon STERGIOU, Rob JARVIS and Kendall BROWN were up to the task and repelled the Doncaster attacks. Half way through the first half Doncaster were able to capitalise of there pressure being able to score a goal. Not long after they struck again and we were 2-0 down.
Waverley were able to turn the game around and started to mount some pressure of there own however they were unable to finish off the play and score. We were able to gain a few short corners. A few variations were tried and finally captain Daniel DOBBINS put a ball onto a foot and then converted the stroke.
Making it 2-1 at half time came and it was mentioned that we needed to improve our finishing, our passes and our work off the ball.
The players listened and the second they came out and nearly dominated the second half. The ball movement was a lot better, but the finishing didn’t improve. We had a few chances but weren’t able to finish off with Greg STRYDOM just missing a shot by sliding along the ground.
We had several more short corners but were unable to convert them.
The game was a back and forward game with Doncaster still attacking and able to score another goal making it 3-1.
Waverley kept going and we had more chances but again were not able to capitalise on them and ran the game out making the final score 3-1 and letting Doncaster go through to the grand final.
We play La Trobe on Saturday somewhere at some time. Good luck to all the teams playing this weekend and congratulation to men’s and women’s pennant A for making it straight to the grand final.

After an exciting finish to the home and away season, a final round win saw Waverley settle on top of the State League 1 ladder.  This put the team in an ideal position as they tackle the 2010 finals series by giving them the double chance if there was a hiccup along the way.

Sunday afternoon saw the Panthers venture out to the State Netball Hockey Centre to take on second placed Hawthorn with the winner of the duel gaining a place in the grand final.  With a rich history in finals between the 2 sides, an arm wrestle of a match was expected.

Hawthorn took the game by the scruff of the neck early in the match catching the Panthers off guard due to their lethargic movements. Superior ball handling and strength in contests put the Panther defence under immense pressure.  Goal Keeper Tom Scott was sensational in the net denying Hawthorn’s field shots and penalty corner attempt from finding their way into the goal.

A sharp transition into attack by Hawthorn caught Waverley on the turn allowing their striker to run uncontested to their attacking 25.  A series of soft Waverley tackles failed to break down the surging striker who continued on his merry way to slot the ball past a helpless Scott and take scoreboard ascendancy.  As the teams entered half time with Hawthorn up 1-0 the game was still there to be won.

A deserved spray from coach Zac Hawes at half time questioning the Panthers work rate and endeavour, spurred the group to much improved start to the second half.  From the whistle the Panthers were straight into attack.  Increasing the pressure and sharpening their movement was the catalyst to gaining penetration against the Hawthorn defence.  A good mix of cracking the ball in for deflections and solid build ups with width saw the Panthers create some much needed opportunities to level the scorecard but unfortunately were unable to capitalise.  Wes Moore found himself on the end of a few great passages of play but agonisingly was unable to score.

A sense of frustration for Waverley as a result of not being able to find the back of the net from numerous chances began to set in and the typical confidence in their attacking circle was gone.  Even power flicker Stephen Jarvis couldn’t put one past the Hawthorn goalie.

As minutes turned into seconds, despite all the chances they had the Panthers were unable to peg back the solitary goal and as the siren sounded the team was left ruing an opportunity to play in the grand final.

Whilst a disappointing result for the team the hard work put in during the year to give them the finals double chance has paid off and will now face Camberwell in a fierce rivalry match to earn the right to play Hawthorn for the 2010 State League 1 Premiership.