Down to the wire in Australian Under 18 Hockey Finals

Four tense medal finals have capped off a high quality 2021 Australian Under 18 Championships in Launceston.

Both of the Women’s medal matches required shootouts to decide the winner, while only one goal separated the teams in the two Men’s finals.

Queensland defeated Victoria in a nail-biting Women’s Final that went all the way to sudden death in the shootout.

Queensland appeared in control after goals from Georgina West and Sarah Cochran had them 2-0 up after 36 minutes. But Victoria were level courtesy of a stunning two minute spell from Tess Palubiski who struck twice in quick succession to level the scores going into the final quarter.

Still all square at full time, both goalkeepers starred in the shootout. Jordan Bliss (QLD) and Emily Butler (VIC) kept out four of their five respective shootout attempts, the telling moment coming when Josie Lawton sent her effort wide to give Queensland the title.

It was a cruel twist for Lawton who would go on to be named the Player of the Tournament. Queensland captain and drag flick specialist Claire Colwill took out the Top Goal Scorer award with 12 goals, ten of which came from penalty corners.

A shootout was also needed to decide the women’s bronze medallists after Northern Territory and Western Australia were locked 1-1 at full time. Lauren Deldot gave the NT the dream start in the first 60 seconds of the game before Saysha Pillay equalised in the 48th minute to level the scores and send the match to a shootout.

Jamie-Lee Surha and Deldot held their nerve to convert their attempts, while Beatriz Monger-Molowny was the only WA player who managed to beat Northern Territory goalkeeper Madyson Jones to give the Territorians a famous victory.

The Men’s gold medal match between NSW State and Western Australia produced a contest befitting of the occasion.

After Max Freedman sent WA ahead through a penalty stroke, the team from NSW struck back courtesy of Rhys Cropper. It was then 16 year old Fletcher Craig who would prove the hero with the winner to give NSW State a 2-1 win as a penalty shootout loomed.

It was a similar score line in the bronze medal match as Victoria edged out Queensland in the battle for third.

A double from 17 year old Oliver Marshall put Victoria in the box seat before Patrick Sheedy pegged a goal back to sent up an exciting finale. But Victoria held on to go home with bronze.

Western Australian Hamish Adamson capped of a memorable tournament on a personal level finishing as the equal top scorer and being named Men’s Player of the Tournament.

For a comprehensive wrap up of the final day, read News Corp journalist Brayden May’s final day coverage.

All of the results, goal scorers and final standings can be found on the respective Altius pages.
Men’s Championship Details
Women’s Championship Details

2021 Australian Under 18 Hockey Championships

U18 MEN’S
Gold Medal (1st place) - NSW STATE
Silver Medal (2nd place) - WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Bronze Medal (3rd place) - VICTORIA

Men’s Just Hockey Player of the Tournament - Hamish Adamson (Western Australia)
Men’s Top Goal Scorer - Hamish Adamson (Western Australia), Zach Rakkas (Northern Territory)

Play the Whistle Award - Tasmania
Umpires of the Bronze Final - Tom Carter, Bailey Davis, Todd Gilroy
Technical Official of the Bronze Final - Leigh Richardson
Umpires of the Gold Final - Aaron Kitchener, Charlie Ibell, Oliver Chauhan
Technical Official of the Gold Final - Sonya Fisher

U18 WOMEN’S
Gold Medal (1st place) - QUEENSLAND
Silver Medals (2nd place) - VICTORIA
Bronze Medals (3rd place) - NORTHERN TERRITORY

Women’s Just Hockey Player of the Tournament - Josie Lawton (Victoria)
Women’s Top Goal Scorer - Claire Colwill (Queensland) 12 goals

Play the Whistle Award - Queensland
Umpires of the Bronze Final - Tilka Hassing, Steph Thompson, Mel Blanchard
Technical Official of the Bronze Final - Michael Hart
Umpires of the Gold Final - Paula Grover-Johnson, Kelby Pointon, Iris Milham
Technical Official of the Gold Final - Alison Page