The John Davis Motors Hockey Superleague kicks off on Sunday and after last month’s player draw, tournament organiser Scott Baker thinks a couple of sides can already be branded favourites.
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In the inaugural women’s tournament, the Ellen Van Hoek-led Mazda Maulers have drawn beautifully, as have Kate Pulbrook’s JDM Jokers.
All the women’s skippers were kept under wraps until the player draw, the other sides – the Renault Royals, Volvo Vikings and Suzuki Strikers – are led by Leanne Kennewell, Madie Smith and Claire Goodall respectively.
In the men’s division Strikers skipper Alex Said picked up a handy side for this year’s title defence while the inaugural champions, the Daryl Kennewell-led Royals, have a blockbuster unit too.
But, as Pulbrook and Said both explained, in the Superleague it often comes down to which team shows up on the day – regardless of star power.
“I’d like to hope we can win it again, we do have a decent side,” Said explained.
“But any team can win it this year, the Renault guys are strong and the Jokers have a decent side too. There’s quality in all the sides.
“If you have a little bit of an off game or miss a shot or two, especially with the joker players and those rules, that can be it.
“I think we’ve got a good side, but it really is anyone’s.”
“Playing nine-a-side hockey will be different for the women this year, but it’s hard to know what to expect,” Pulbrook said.
“I think it will be about which team turns it on on the day. There’s a good mix of ability across all the sides, it should be really great we’re all pretty excited.”
Said picked up the likes of Adam Skelton, Michael Pengilly and Zac Royal, while Pulbrook lucked out and landed Kayla Orrock, Rach Pengilly and as a late pick-up, NSW under 15s star Pip Mannix.
Her Jokers side might have a tough time against Van Hoek’s Maulers though, a side which also boasts stars Sarah Barrett, Eva Reith-Snare, George Watson and Anna Kukla.
“I’m really pleased with my side, we’ve landed a good goalkeeper and we’ve got plenty of experience along with the likes of Rach and Pip, the younger generation,” Pulbrook said.
“It’ll be quick, so being in the right position at the right time will be vital. We’ll try and throw the ball around too.”
The inaugural women’s competition, Pulbrook said she’s excited to see it happening and to be involved too.
“It’s a really exciting time for Orange hockey,” she said.
The Superleague kicks off at 10am on Sunday at Orange Hockey Centre.
TEAM LISTS
SUZUKI STRIKERS
- MEN: Alex Said ©, Garret Baird, Adam Skelton, Michael Pengilly, Peter Tattersall, Mac-Reith Snare, Zac Royal, Rohan Baker, Steve Horan, Steve Lewis, Matt Showels, Scott Kennedy, Taunui Pakinga
- WOMEN: Claire Goodall ©, Kathryn Cox, Ally Thurn, Tiff Davis, Kirra Everett, Libby Smith, Jordan Garlick, Carmen Thurn, Renee Burrell, Haddie Watson, Nicole Said, Lucinda Ferguson
MAZDA MAULERS
- MEN: Adam Hurford ©, David Wynne, Connor Morris, Scott Newton, Adam Hukins, Trent Wilde, Rhys Horan, Darryl Frost, Grant Michell, Steve Burridge, Paul Jewell, Peter Hanlon
- WOMEN: Ellen Van Hoek ©, Anna Kukla, Erin Abrahams, Sarah Barrett, Eva Reith-Snare, Heidi Reid, Mel Said, Georgie Watson, Chloe Baker, Allison Smith, Nicole Chapman, Janeen Bam Toner, Annabel Guthrie
RENAULT ROYALS
- MEN: Darryl Kennewell ©, Jackson White, Tom Reddan, Mick Dillon, James Shakeshaft, Aaron Skelton, Noah Jones, Brad Pengilly, Charlie D’Aquino, Kyle Walker, Graydon, Kaleb Cook
- WOMEN: Leanne Kennewell ©, Erin Horan, Rachel Hoey, Shian Duboc, Kylie Watts, Belinda Ferguson, Chloe Hampton, Mia Scolari, Bambi Romano, Katie Archer, Lucy Wright, Pip Culverson
VOLVO VIKINGS
- MEN: Darryn Marjoram ©, Rob Carroll, Tom Powe, Luke Skelton, Logen Dolbel, Ben Cox, Mark Maybin, Liam Wilson, Mitch Watts, Tom Simmonds, Joe Clayton, Wayne Newton
- WOMEN: Madie Smith ©, Kimberley Kell, Jade Williams, Chelsea Shrimpton, Annie Burrell, Danielle Said, Amy Hampton Hannah Watson, Ally Cook, Jackie Brearley, Fiona Wenham, Amber Roswell
JDM JOKERS
- MEN: Nic Milne ©, Jake Skelton, Tom Peacock, Henry Jones, Ben Davis, Darren Davis, Grant Hampton, Connor Davis, Alex Wiegold, Dave Watson, Craig Rochester, Sam Giumelli
- WOMEN: Kate Pulbrook ©, Karan Horan, Kayla Orrock, Rach Pengilly, Leanne Healey, Jess Clayton, Allison Baker, Emily Gould, Melissa Fuller, Amelia Haigh, Teneka Ridley, Pip Mannix
Matt Findlay
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
Formerly a sports specialist, I'm based at Orange and shift between wide-spread range of subjects here and, often, across the entire Central West region of NSW as well. I have almost a decade of experience in the media and marketing industries both here in Australia and internationally, along with journalism I have experience in content strategy, brand development, and digital and social media. Along the way, I've been fortunate to win a handful of media awards and be nominated for several others too.
