The Belgravia Sports Apparel Premier League is back in action this weekend!

There’s been a lot of movement in clubland during the off-season. Before we pushback to commence the 2023 season, our resident journalist Bevan Jones has been chatting to club President’s and Coaches to bring you the inside scoop on what we can expect from the Premier League clubs this season ... 
 

BELGRAVIA SPORTS APPAREL PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON PREVIEW
by Bevan Jones

ADELAIDE HOCKEY CLUB

MEN'S
After finishing runner up in 2022 to eventual premier Port Adelaide, there is no doubt that the Adelaide Hockey Club will have some extra motivation to get some revenge in 2023.

Coach Shaun Dawson said they were looking forward to another competitive season and will be aiming for a top two finish.

Players to Watch
According to Dawson, Jack Holland is looking very sharp after a summer of training and it will be exciting to watch him create offensive opportunities. 

Dawson also said that all of their under 21 representatives have developed a lot over the summer and will play a significant role in our success this season (Lucas Noel, Charlie Roberts, Kyton Rayner and Tom Wycherly) 

Ins - Oliver Coats (goalkeeper from the Riverland) he will bring a new view, depth and competition to their goal keeping ranks.
Outs - James Heyzer (defender) and Damon Leng (goalkeeper) - both have left for overseas trips to Canada (not hockey related)

Last year’s runners up will be right up there again in 2023, however with a couple of key outs and the improvement of some of the other teams it sure will be an exciting season in the men’s competition.

I am tipping Adelaide Hockey Club to be in the finals mix again.

Ladder position last year: Runners Up
Predicted finish for 2023: 3rd

WOMEN'S
After just missing the Grand Final in 2022, Brodie Gleeson’s team will be hungry in 2023 to make it through to the final two.

Despite losing defenders Riley Tape and Georgie Bridgland there was still an air of excitement at the club and particularly with the youth coming through.

Coach Gleeson described last year as quite a successful one and said they were hoping to build on this and had some exciting up and coming juniors looking to cement spots which would make for healthy competition.

He said whilst it was a blow to lose Michaela Spano and Hattie Shand last year, this gave other girls opportunities last year like Emily Grist who became a striker and was close to being the leading goal scorer for the competition.

Players to Watch
Grist and Lucy Sharman who was part of Hockey One last year and just came back from the SA under 21’s and according to Gleeson she had a breakout season last year and took the competition by storm.

Chloe Carter and Erin Cameron who also played Hockey One with the Adelaide Fire in 2022.

Ins - Nil
Outs - Riley Tape (North East Hockey Club) and Georgie Bridgland (Adelaide University Hockey Club)

With some exciting youngsters and a youthful midfield, the Adelaide Hockey Club will be fun to watch this year.

Ladder position last year: 3rd
Predicted finish for 2023: 3rd

ADELAIDE UNIVERSITY HOCKEY CLUB

MEN'S
After finishing bottom of the ladder in 2022, the Adelaide University Hockey Club will be striving hard to make a push up the ladder this season.

Max Bail said they were able to keep the bulk of the squad from 2022. Losing Daniel Cox was impossible to replace, however a solid structure and clear game plan would help.

He had a really positive outlook after what he described as a solid preseason on the track. He said the players were feeling the best they had felt and were really keen to see how far the group can go in 2023.

Players to Watch
Coach Max Bail said they had recruited two exciting young players, Jasper Farlam and Campbell Waller from Port Lincoln who will add some pace and flare to their midfield.

They have also recruited Rohan Casey from Enfield who was the State Country goalkeeper last year and Bail said Casey moved across as he wanted to test himself against the best.

Ins - Farlam, Waller and Casey
Outs - Daniel Cox.

With some good ins and the ability to keep a similar squad to last year, there is no doubt that Adelaide University will be much more competitive in 2023. The loss of Cox hurts them but it will be interesting to see how Casey goes after crossing over from Enfield.

Ladder position last year: 8th
Predicted finish for 2023: 7th

WOMEN'S
After finishing fifth in 2022, Adelaide University will be looking for further improvement this year to make a push for the finals.

Coach Darren Neimke said they had several existing players from within the club who were available this year and will add to their depth. They also have a new senior coaching group with diverse experience which will be a great plus for the younger players.

Neimke said they had a good mix of youth and experience in the group and their pre-season focus was on playing style and integrating new ideas and players within the group.

He also said another key that they were looking for this year was consistency across all lines.

Players to Watch
Georgie Bridgland - experienced defender who has come from Adelaide Hockey Club, Lili Stevens - talented midfield player who has joined Adelaide University from Port Adelaide and Candela Anchi - an attacking midfielder who is visiting from Argentina.

Ins - Bridgland (Adelaide Hockey Club), Stevens (Port Adelaide) and Anchi (Argentina)
Outs - Nil

A couple of good ins will help Adelaide University and their push for a finals spot in 2023. In such an even competition they will be in the mix.

Ladder position last year: 5th
Predicted finish for 2023: 6th

BURNSIDE HOCKEY CLUB

MEN'S
After missing the finals in 2022, the Burnside Hockey Club men’s side could be one team that might be in the mix to taste some finals action.

With key player and midfielder Jesse Cooper returning to the side after spending last year riding his bike around Europe and study commitments this could be just what the team from the East need to push for finals.

Players to Watch
Coach Dan Haseloff said that Brodie Kosonen is arguably the best goalkeeper in the state, club stalwart and midfielder Simon Brown is another to keep an eye on as well as fellow midfielder Seb Foster who just away with the SA under 21’s team.

Ins - Cooper
Outs - Nil

With the inclusion of Cooper and the ability to maintain the same squad as last year there is a real chance that Burnside can push for a finals spot this year.

Ladder position last year: 6th
Predicted finish for 2023: 5th

WOMEN'S
It will be a new look Burnside Hockey Club women’s side in 2023 both on and off the field. Sanjay Singh has taken over as the Head Coach and there have been some familiar faces returning to the club.

Singh knows that after finishing seventh last year there is work to do but he said the culture at the club was great and could not be more positive.

He said the club’s preseason form was excellent and they were looking forward to the season. With some of their best players still at school, Singh said there was a bright future ahead.

Players to Watch
Yvette Van Eenennaam, a Dutch player who has been playing with friends in the Metro Two women’s competition and according to Singh, she is ready to take the step up to the Premier League.

Euleena McLaughlin, Singh said she was a brilliant leader and a terrific player and a huge in for this season.

Ins - Carly Fowler, Hayley Kennedy, Tamara Hillman, Van Eenennaam and McLaughlin.
Outs - Nil

Whilst finals might be a tough ask for Singh’s team in his first year at the helm, I expect to see improvement this year and they may cause a few upsets in the Premier League women’s competition.

Ladder position last year: 7th
Predicted finish for 2023: 7th

FORESTVILLE HOCKEY CLUB

MEN'S
After a disappointing result in 2022 where they finished seventh on the ladder, Coach Michael Lubcke will be looking for improvement from his squad.

Lubcke said they had an exciting young group that will be playing a different type of structure and looking to have an impact this season.

He said they had a new coaching group bringing in fresh ideas and experience and some younger lads would be pushing for selection in the senior men’s teams. They had a big focus on the development of skills and field-based awareness.

Players to Watch
Bryce Hammond through their attacking midfield line, Kurtis Willson who has had a big preseason and keen to develop further as Forestville’s key defender and Jamie Van der Ploeg through their strike line.

Ins - Nil
Outs - Nil

With the same group as last year and a new coaching group this will definitely help the younger players. The competition gets stronger every year though and there is no doubt they will be a competitive side and get a few wins on the board.

Ladder position last year: 7th
Predicted finish for 2023: 8th

WOMEN'S
After missing out on the finals in 2022, the Forestville Hockey Club’s women’s side could be one of the real improvers for 2023.

Despite losing some quality players, they have added some talent to their list and coach Damien Christensen said if they can build on last season’s performances and continue and grown and develop as a team, and as individuals, then they could be knocking on the door of the top four or five.

He said there were exciting times ahead for the club particularly in 2024 with their own home ground being built, they will be looking to move in and hopefully be coming off a strong year on and off the pitch in 2023.

Players to Watch
Ella Bruce, Izzy Hill, and Tash Hammond

Ins - Caitlin Christian – returning to club from Hills, Merle Bader – exchange student, Luisa Grobbink – exchange student, Zoe Steinhardt – new to the club.
Outs - Alyssa O’Donnell – knee injury, Sophie Bruce – foot injury, Daisy Hollands – left to Port Adelaide, Kira McMahon – year off to study, Anna Lions – family reasons.

With some key inclusions and some good late season performances last year, Forestville’s women’s side can push for finals spot this year.

Ladder position last year: 6th
Predicted finish for 2023: 4th

GRANGE ROYALS HOCKEY CLUB

MEN'S
It will be a tight battle for that fourth spot on the ladder in the men’s competition and after finishing fifth on the ladder in 2022, the Grange Royals will be pushing for a finals spot.

After Nate Burgess being the senior coach for five years, Ben Edwards has taken over the game day coaching role and will have a senior leadership group which features (Paxton Silby, Cameron White, Will Abbott and Daniel Judge) who will be leading the weekday training sessions.

According to Edwards the club wanted to build on the club’s strong links with players from Mount Gambier and as such the team had attracted a talented group of junior players to the squad for 2023. Edwards said it would be a tight fight for a top four spot with every game counting. 

He expected Adelaide, Seacliff, and Port to take the top three positions, with Burnside, NEHC and Grange fighting it out for the last top four spot.

He said it was going to be a year where player management will be key with a condensed season and a number of mid-week fixtures. Edwards feels as though the teams able to manage their lists effectively will be successful.

Players to Watch
Edwards fully expects the leadership team of White, Abbott and Silby to have strong seasons based on their preseason efforts.

He said additional players to watch include up and coming star Griffin Wolthers – despite only being 16 years old he had a few Premier League seasons under his belt and is growing in confidence.

He also expected Dylan ‘DairdCoin’ Aird to continue setting the tone for the team in 2023.

Ins - Brayden Mrozek (Port Adelaide HC) and Alex Watters (Adelaide HC) Nash Lobley (Redbacks Hockey Club, Mount Gambier), Connor Grant (Tigers Hockey Club, Mount Gambier) and Brayden Burston (West Hockey Club, Mount Gambier).
Outs - Nil

With some fantastic inclusions to the side for 2023 I am tipping the Grange Royals to make the jump into the finals this year. Ben Edwards has some serious talent to work with and it will be interesting to see how the three new players from Mount Gambier fit into the team.

Ladder position last year: 5th
Predicted finish for 2023: 4th

WOMEN'S
Coach Mark Dedman said the Grange Royals women’s team will start this season looking to continue their improvement journey with a young developing squad.

Their Premier League squad has an average age of 23, with six of those players being under 20 years old.

He said their playing list has seen a few departures with starting of a family, interstate and international relocations all having an impact.

They have gained Jordan Ganley who is now studying in Adelaide and will play full time for them adding strength in their midfield and will also soon regain Abbey Mitton who has missed the last 12 months due to a knee reconstruction. 

Players to Watch
Annalise Abbott - an under 21’s striker who has recently returned from playing in the U21 championships, Amy Hammond – a champion goalkeeper who will be looking to stamp her mark once again as the top keeper in the competition, Mitton – she will be making her return soon from a 12-month ACL injury. According to Dedman she was sorely missed last year and will bolster their defensive strength. She will bring experience and drive through their defensive group.

Ins - Ganley and Mitton (returned from a knee reconstruction)
Outs - Lauren Rae – (had a baby in March), Kayla Pena - moved to Alice Springs with her partner, Caitlin Abbott - moved overseas to pursue work opportunities.

Although Coach Dedman was hoping to get Rae back later this year, with some key outs it will make it another challenging year for his team and his young group.

The inclusion of Ganley and Mitton will help but in such a tough competition and with teams above getting stronger I feel as though the Royals will finish near the bottom of the table again in 2023.

Ladder position last year: 8th
Predicted finish for 2023: 8th

NORTH EAST HOCKEY CLUB

MEN'S
After being in the finals every year since 2019 and a fourth-place finish in 2023, the North East Hockey Club are always a team to watch.

With a good mix of young and old talent, coach Jordan Glover said the group remained strong and like last year and thinks they have what it takes to contend for the premiership.

Players to Watch
Will Telfer is a stalwart of the competition and is only a few games off reaching an incredible milestone of 450 games. Glover said that he is still in really good nick and Telfer and Skipper Chris Wells were a couple of experienced players to watch.

In terms of the younger ones to watch, Mitchell Dell was the joint best and fairest for the league last year and Lucas Toonen is another one that Glover thinks could be in for a big year.

Ins - Nil
Outs - Nil

With the ability to maintain the same squad as last year and another year under the belt of the younger players it should be an exciting year for the North East Hockey Club.

Ladder position last year: 4th
Predicted finish for 2023: 6th

WOMEN'S
Coach Holly Evans said her team had a really interesting mix of senior players and young up and coming players and they will be really effective if they can be consistent.

Evans said despite losing a few of their experienced players they had a good young group coming through and some new players coming into the side this year this could change the culture and make things a little more exciting.

Players to Watch 
Lisa McDonald and Sherilyn Cass, Riley Tape who was the State Under 18’s Captain and has crossed over from the Adelaide Hockey Club, Mercedes Theobald and Emma Dean from the Under 21 Nationals.

Ins - Riley Tape (Adelaide Hockey Club), Yentl Bontekoe, Mercedes Theobald (Mount Gambier), Emma Dean (Under 21 Nationals)
Outs - Indiana Edwards (foot), Jessica Campbell, Rebecca Axford and Jess Axford.

With some key ins to the side and a good mix of youth and experience, North East Hockey Club will be around the mark again in 2023. I would not be surprised if they made finals but in such a competitive women’s league this year, I reckon they might just miss out.

Ladder position last year: 4th
Predicted finish for 2023: 5th

PORT ADELAIDE DISTRICT HOCKEY CLUB

MEN'S
In ominous signs for the rest of the competition, despite being last year’s premiers, Coach Mark Victory 
said there was room for improvement particularly as he did not feel they played their best during the minor rounds and that they were premiers because of their excellent finals campaign.

Victory said they would be the hunted this year after winning last year’s championship. He also said their defence will always be the strength and they wanted to make the most of their attacking opportunities.
The premiership coach of 2023 said their aim was to just make the top four as you never know what would happen in finals.

Players to Watch
Coach Mark Victory said that Scott Germein was one to watch and despite being at the back end of his career he was still a very good player.

He also mentioned that other players to watch this season were Isaac Whittaker, Tom Fitzgerald, Adam Lawrence, and their goalkeeper Eddie Chittleborough who was a gun in the finals last year.

Ins - Dylan Holland (Forestville) and Lachlan Arneil (Canberra).
Outs - Andy Leat (completing a medical residency on Kangaroo Island) and Dylan Edge (Melbourne)

Port Adelaide have recruited well and despite losing a couple of quality players, the two new recruits, Arneil and Holland will be great inclusions and there is no doubt that the Magpies will be up there again when it comes to the pointy end of the season.

Ladder position last year: Premiers
Predicted finish for 2023: Premiers

WOMEN'S
Coach Paul Finnie said that he believes the competition will be tighter again this season, with not much between the top four sides from last season.

He said any side was capable on their day of causing some damage. Finnie said they had the team’s focus during the pre-season was conversion, ball movement and defensive organisation. 

To give themselves the opportunity to be amongst contenders, Finnie said they had to adopt the mindset of each quarter, each match being a genuine challenge, and ingraining good habits.

Players to Watch
Coach Paul Finnie said that Carly Hoffman is already one of the best players in the league, expecting another level from her on the back of strong State/National representations over the off season. 

He also mentioned that 15-year-old Zara Pelham has already shown her quality at the higher level with good performances at the Under 21 Nationals recently and expects her to display the same excellent form and ability to convert as she displayed in metro one’s last season. 

Ins - Daisy Holland (young defender from Forestville); young players Abby Luttrell (Grange Royals) and Matilda Paterson (Burnside) will contend for positions.
Outs - Celeste Foord-Spriggins (pregnant)

Coach Finnie said they were fortunate enough to be blessed with game changers across all their lines and have good depth. 

He also said he expected the competition to be even tighter in 2023 and in the pre-season to try and go one better in 2023 they had been focused on conversion, ball movement and defensive organisation.

They have recruited well and will be good enough to go one better in 2023. 

Ladder position last year: Runners Up
Predicted finish for 2023: Runners Up

SEACLIFF HOCKEY CLUB

MEN'S
Coach Matt Morton said that season 2022 showed that the men’s competition was getting closer with the competition being quite youthful, and teams working hard to develop systems that compliment their strengths.

Morton anticipated season 2023 to be no different with players gaining more experience and with a couple of teams having new coaches, the season could be wide open. 

Players to Watch
Jaxon Dell'Oro (Defender) & Angus Abbo (Striker)

Ins - Tom Casey - Tom has moved over from interstate (Victoria) and is studying Physiotherapy at Flinders University. Tom has played over 200 Premier League games for Toorak East Malvern in the Hockey Victoria League. 
Outs - Nil

With no outs and the inclusion of Casey, I am tipping Seacliff to make it through to this year’s men’s grand final.

Ladder position last year: 3rd
Predicted finish for 2023: Runners Up

WOMEN'S
Coach Matt Morton said they were looking forward to the 2023 season and building on the momentum from 2022. 

He said they had got some clear areas they want to improve on and were looking forward to further developing individually and collectively as the season progresses, and trusting their process will stack up come September. 

Players to Watch
Katie Sharkey (Midfielder), Emma Kitto (Defender)

Ins - Sarah Tulloch - Sarah has moved over from interstate (Victoria) and is working as a physiotherapist in Adelaide. Sarah comes over with a wealth of experience after playing 300+ Premier League games for Toorak East Malvern in the Hockey Victoria League. Isabel Goldsmith - Isabel returns after some time away from the club due to completing Veterinary studies. Isabel brings great experience and tenacity from previously playing Nationals for Tasmania. 
Outs - Brook Buchecker - Brook retires from playing due to an on-going injury after a successful year leading the Seacliff HC to their first premiership in 2022. Brook joins the coaching staff in 2023. Leah Welstead - Leah is taking a year off from playing due to expecting her first child at the end of May. Ash Morrison - Completing her studies in Medicine. 

Ladder position last year:  Premiers
Predicted finish for 2023:  Premiers

The weekly LiveHockey coverage also returns this weekend. Round 1 coverage features Port Adelaide District Hockey Club v Adelaide Hockey Club and gets underway from 2:00pm. Catch the live action here - https://livehockey.com.au

If you are a paid playing hockey player in 2023, you receive a free annual LIVEHockey subscription as part of your membership. For details on how to activate your subscription - https://bit.ly/LiveHockeySubscriptionInfo