Tigers chase momentum and first points against Adelaide Fire

Tigers chase momentum and first points against Adelaide Fire

The Tassie Tigers head to Adelaide for their first away trip of the 2026 ONE Active Hockey One League season this Sunday, with the men looking to build on a winning start and the women chasing their first points.

After contrasting results against Perth in Hobart, Round 2 presents an opportunity for both Tigers sides to take another step forward against Adelaide Fire teams seeking a response to opening-round defeats.

Men aim to build on opening win

The Tigers men launched their campaign with a 4–2 victory over the Perth Thundersticks, producing an emphatic first-half response after conceding just 90 seconds into the contest.

Sam McCulloch’s diving equaliser at the near post came within 20 seconds of Perth’s opener, setting the tone for a half in which the Tigers took control. Ehren Hazell, Oscar Pritchard and Joshua Brooks also found the net as Tasmania built a 4–1 lead by the main break.

The next challenge is to sustain that attacking intent across four quarters. The Tigers spent much of the second half on the back foot, with goalkeeper Magnus McCausland instrumental in preserving the three points.

Dutch import Lex Tump, who made his Tigers debut in the win, said the performance provided plenty to build on.

“We were happy to come away with the win. Our first half was very good, our second half not quite so good, so there are a few things we need to work on and tidy up ahead of the game,” Tump said.

Tump is also adjusting to the pace and approach of Australian hockey.

“The game style here is quite different, it’s more direct. In the Netherlands it’s a little bit more, keep ahold of the ball, but here the Australian style is, you get the ball, you go towards the goals and try to score a goal.”

Adelaide enters its home opener following a 9–1 loss to Canberra, giving the Tigers every reason to expect a determined response in front of the Fire’s home crowd.

For Tassie, applying pressure early and maintaining control for longer periods will be central to securing a second consecutive victory.

There is one change to the squad that defeated Perth, with Tyson Johnson replacing the unavailable Oscar Pritchard. Johnson made a memorable Tigers debut during the 2025 finals series, scoring against Brisbane in the semi-final.

With temperatures forecast to reach 30°C in Adelaide, managing the conditions will provide another test, although Tump said preparations were well underway.

“It’s going to be quite hot, so we have made sure we are fully prepared for that, drinking fluids through the week in the lead-up. But I think we will be fine with the heat.”

-Imports Paige Blake and Lex Tump talk with the media.

Women look to turn encouraging signs into points

The Tigers women will look to build on the promising passages of their opening performance and turn their attacking opportunities into goals.

With nine players making their Tigers debuts, the new-look side faced an immediate test against back-to-back champions Perth. Tasmania threatened during a closely contested opening quarter but could not convert its promising play, eventually falling 3–0.

Goalkeeper Evie Dalton impressed as the Tigers remained within touching distance at half-time, before Perth extended its advantage early in the third quarter.

New Zealand import Paige Blake said the opening-round challenge provided a valuable benchmark for a group still developing its combinations.

“It was a good test coming up against the two-time champions in week 1 to see where the bar is at,” Blake said.

“The full squad had only come together a week before the first game, which is a challenge, but we’re confident as we play more together, we will improve and get better with each round.”

Adelaide will also be chasing its first points after falling 7–3 to the Canberra Chill in Round 1, setting up an important early-season contest for both sides.

For the Tigers, sharper finishing and a consistent defensive effort will be key, with Blake keen to see her side take the initiative against the Fire.

“We need to make sure that we are putting them under as much pressure as Perth put us under.”

Head coach Susan Brooks and assistant coach Brett Withington have named an unchanged squad for the trip, backing the group to build on its opening-round performance.

The double-header takes place at the State Hockey Centre in Adelaide on Sunday, 18 October. The women’s match begins at 1:00 pm, and the men’s at 2:45pm local time (1:30pm and 3:15pm in Tasmania). Both matches will be streamed live on 7plus.

Round 2 Squads

Men: Hayden Beltz (C), Matthew Bird, Joshua Brooks, Tim Deavin, Jeremy Edwards, Ehren Hazell, Ruben Hoey, Keenan Johnson, Tyson Johnson, Magnus McCausland, Sam McCulloch, Angus McMullen, Lachie Rogers, Oliver Stebbings, Lex Tump.

Women: Hannah Baxter, Yvette Biekart, Paige Blake, Phillida Bridley, Taylor Brooks, Georgie Carter, Evie Dalton, Beth Dobbie, Zayna Jackson, Belle Kruimink, Holly Pearson, Camila Raposo, Sophia Schwabe, Penny Squibb (C), Jade van der Zwan.