A hat-trick from Nathan Ephraums helped HC Melbourne win the Liberty Men’s Hockey One League for the first time in its history, beating Canberra 5-2 in Hobart on Sunday.
Canberra started the match on top of the standings and ready to secure a fairytale send-off for their captain, Andrew Charter, and Chill veteran Gary Backhus.
Having achieved a turnaround in 2023, where they placed seventh, Canberra had beaten every team in the League in 2024, except HC Melbourne.
But Ephraums proved the standout in the first and third quarters to seal the win.
Defending champion Brisbane Blaze upset the Perth Thundersticks in a tight 4-3 win to claim the bronze medal.
In the women’s final, Perth Thundersticks won their first title as they dominated defending champions Brisbane Blaze with a commanding 4-1 win to claim the gold medal.
Brisbane had never missed out on a spot in the final, having won three titles in the last four seasons.
Perth took a two-goal cushion and were aided by Aleisha Power in goal as they held Brisbane at bay.
“First and foremost this team is a quality group and a quality group of humans and I’m just so proud of the group,” captain Penny Squibb said.
“We’ve all got together and we’re a little family over in WA and we’ve come out here today and shown that on the pitch and I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Earlier, the NSW Pride claimed bronze over the Tassie Tigers in a thrilling 4-4 (3-0) shootout win. Briton Fiona Crackles was on the scoreboard for the Tigers.
LIBERTY HOCKEY ONE LEAGUE FINAL RESULTS
MEN’S GRAND FINAL
HC MELBOURNE: 5 (Nathan Ephraums 16″, 33″, 33″ (FG, FG, FC), Connar Otterbach 54″ (FG), Josh Simmonds 54″ (FC))
CANBERRA CHILL: 2 (Ben Staines 38″ (PS), Jesse Absolom 38″ (FC))
MEN’S BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
BRISBANE BLAZE: 4 (Scott Boyde 15″ (FG), Corey Weyer 17″ & 17″ (FG & FC), Tim Howard 27″ (PC))
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS: 3 (Coby Green 7″ (PC) Brodee Foster 34″ & 34″ (FG + FC))
WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL
PERTH THUNDERSTICKS: 4 (Liné Malan 16″, 16″ (FG, FC), Penny Squibb 52″ (PC), Georgia Wilson 55″ (FG))
BRISBANE BLAZE: 1 (Stephanie Kershaw 34″ (FG))
WOMEN’S BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
NSW PRIDE: 4 (3) (Abby Wilson 8″, 29″, 31″ (PC, PC, PC) Lily Neilson 50″ (FG))
TASSIE TIGERS: 4 (0) (Gitte Michels 12″ & 35″ (PC, PS), Ruby Harris 34″ (FG) Fiona Crackles 43″ (PC))
