Premier League Round 15 – Match of the Round Preview

Published Fri 21 Jul 2023

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Round 15 – Match of the Round Preview

Port Adelaide District Hockey Club v Adelaide Hockey Club

Preview by Bevan Jones

Premier League Women
It will be a great test for third placed Adelaide Hockey Club on Sunday when they take on the competition’s benchmark and top of the table Port Adelaide.

Adelaide has nine wins, two draws and three losses in 2023 and in their last game in round 14 they had confidence boosting 7-0 win over Grange, whilst Port Adelaide with 12 wins and two draws had a tight 1-0 win over Burnside.

Last time Adelaide and Port Adelaide met was in round five and on that occasion, it was Port Adelaide winning 2-0.

Port Adelaide Coach, Paul Finnie, was full of praise for Adelaide and said his team were excited about the challenge.

“The team and I are really looking forward to our usual tight battle with Adelaide this Sunday,” Finnie said.

“Adelaide look to be in some pretty good form leading into this encounter, and I believe they have talent across all lines.

“We will need to be switched on in all positions (not just focusing on a few players) as I believe they are capable of hurting oppositions with their numerous weapons and strengths.

“Our focuses will be continuing to build on our ever-improving connections and high levels of defensive intensity.

“Our depth has been tested over the last few weeks which we've seen as a real opportunity to give players increased opportunity, all of whom have stepped up to the plate successfully.”

Adelaide Coach Brodie Gleeson said his team had to embrace the contest and the challenge that awaited them.

“Facing Port is always a challenging task, but we're ready to take them on again,” Gleeson said.

“We have not played them since round five and are aware that both teams would have identified some key focus areas and improved since then. First and foremost, we need to embrace the contest.

“Port is a tough team, and they excel at applying pressure and maintaining defensive structure. We cannot afford to shy away from the challenge they present. Instead, we must be mentally and physically prepared to engage in a battle throughout the entire match.

“We have been working on improving our attacking patterns, enhancing our creativity in the final third, and finding ways to break through there pressure.

“Overall, it is important for us to approach this match with confidence and belief in our abilities.

“We respect Port as a formidable opponent, but we also recognise that we are a strong team capable of competing at the highest level as well.”

This will be another great contest between these two sides, but it is hard to go past Port Adelaide with the season they are having. Port Adelaide to win 3-2.

Premier League Men
It is a mouth-watering contest this Sunday when second placed Adelaide Hockey Club with a record of 11 wins, two draws and one loss take on third placed Port Adelaide with eight wins, two draws and four losses in 2023.

Both teams had wins in their last matches played in round 14 before the mid-season break.
Port Adelaide defeated Burnside 4-3 and Adelaide defeated Grange 5-0.

Last time Port Adelaide and Adelaide met was in round five and it was Adelaide proving too strong with a 6-2 victory.

Port Adelaide Coach Mark Victory said they would need to focus on trying to control Adelaide’s talented forwards whilst holding the ball in their attack for as long as possible.

Adelaide Coach Shaun Dawson said there was a lot at stake making this weekend’s game a big one for the club.

“It's always a quality match against Port and we expect nothing different this weekend,” Dawson said.

“We are coming in a little undermanned due to some injuries, as well as Jack Holland being away for a Kookaburras training camp, so we will rely on our squad depth and team play to get the win this Sunday.

“A win this weekend almost guarantees us a top two position, so we have plenty to play for.”

This could go either way and deserves to be the game of the round. I think it will be closer than last time and I am tipping Adelaide to win in a tight one 4-3.