Tigers Seeking Bounce Back Against Blaze in Round 4

The Tassie Tigers will look to bounce back from a Round 3 setback when they host Brisbane Blaze in Round 4 of the ONE Active Hockey One League this Saturday, 31 October.

The women open the double-header at 1:00pm, followed by the men at 2.45pm, at the Aurora Energy Tasmanian Hockey Centre. With both Tigers sides chasing a response to last Friday’s defeats against Canberra, putting together a complete performance shapes as a focus for both teams.

Women chase a four-quarter performance

The Tigers will be looking to sustain their best hockey across all four quarters after three unanswered Canberra goals either side of three-quarter time proved their undoing last weekend.

Two Penny Squibb penalty-corner goals helped Tasmania overturn an early deficit and take a 2–1 lead in the third quarter, before the Chill regained control to secure a 4–2 victory.

Zayna Jackson said playing short-handed had taken its toll as the contest progressed.

“A few cards left us down in numbers and down in subs, and I think that saw us get a bit tired late in the third,” Jackson said.

“We definitely need to make sure we put together a four-quarter performance this week.”

Jackson in action against the Fire in Round 2

Brisbane arrives with renewed confidence after opening its account for the season with a 3–0 win over Adelaide. Jackson said containing the visitors’ pace would be a priority.

“They’re pretty quick, they’ve got fast strikers, so it will be a big role for our defence to guard against that.”

The Tigers have recent history on their side, having defeated the Blaze in the past two meetings between the teams. With both sides holding one win and two losses, Saturday shapes as a pivotal contest in the race for a top-four finish.

“Obviously we are aware of where we are standing at the moment, but we just try to prepare for every game the same way,” Jackson said.

Tasmania will welcome two debutants, with Stella Pritchard and Sophie Kruimink replacing Georgie Carter and Hannah Baxter in the selected squad.

“We have two debutants this week, Stella and Sophie, who are young players who will bring plenty of skill and speed to the side.”

Jackson and Bird talk to the media at Thursday's press conference.

Tigers Men target a fast start in rematch of 2025 Semi Final

A strong start will be front of mind for the Tigers men as they look to respond to their first defeat of the season.

Tasmania pushed unbeaten Canberra to the final moments last Friday, with two Hayden Beltz penalty-corner goals and a late Oliver Stebbings strike keeping the hosts in the contest. However, the Tigers fell just short in a 4–3 loss, with former Tasmania goalkeeper Max Larkin producing a superb performance for the Chill.

Matthew Bird said the match highlighted how costly a slow start could be, something which has plagued the side so far this season, conceding first in each game.

“I think we saw last week that if you don’t start well, the game can slip away very quickly, and it’s very hard to come back,” Bird said.

“We did give it a red-hot crack, but a few things didn’t quite go our way. If we were to look back on it, we only played half a game.”

Bird said the Tigers could build on the way they finished the contest.

“The second half was Tigers hockey, so we need to build on that from last week.”

The hosts will take an unchanged line-up into Saturday’s clash, providing another opportunity to develop their chemistry. 

“We’re sticking with the same team this week and will look to keep building those connections,” Bird said.

Brisbane responded emphatically to its opening two defeats by overwhelming Adelaide 10–1, with seven different players finding the scoresheet.

Recent history suggests another tight encounter awaits. The past three meetings between Tasmania and Brisbane have all required shootouts, with the Tigers prevailing each time, including last year’s extraordinary semi-final following a 6–6 draw.

For Bird, putting the visitors under pressure from the outset will be crucial.

“We need to be able to get at them early, make sure we can start really well and put that scoreboard pressure on, which we’ve seen before is tough to come back from.”

Bird in action against the Chill last Friday

Named teams

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

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

Get behind your Tigers!

Make it a Saturday afternoon at the hockey and help our Tigers take on the Blaze! Enjoy two matches, free entry for children under 13 and free face painting from Cheeky Chops.

🏑 Women: 1:00pm | Men: 2.45pm
📅 Saturday, 31 October
📍 Aurora Energy Tasmanian Hockey Centre
🎟️ Secure your tickets here