Premier League Round 16 – Match of the Round Preview

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Round 16 – Match of the Round Preview

Adelaide Hockey Club v North East Hockey Club 

Preview by Bevan Jones

Premier League Women
After drawing 3-3 with top of the table Port Adelaide last Sunday, 3rd placed Adelaide with nine wins, three draws and three losses will take great confidence into their clash tonight with North East who sit 6th on the ladder with six wins and nine losses in 2023.

North East went down 2-1 against Burnside in round 15 which makes this game against Adelaide extra important for their chances of playing finals in 2023.

Last time Adelaide and North East met was in round 9 and on that occasion, it was a tight game with Adelaide getting the win 2-1.

Adelaide coach Brodie Gleeson said two games in a few days would make it tough and maintaining possession was the key.

“Facing North East is always a challenge, and we know they are a well-structured and fearless team. We have always had tight contests and I expect this game to be the same,” Gleeson said.

“Given our last match was on Sunday afternoon it becomes important that we value possession and control the game's tempo. 

“Circle outcomes will be important for both sides, and we need to ensure that we are efficient in creating shots or APCs, whilst restricting their ability to create outcomes.”

This will be another great contest between these two sides but it is hard to go past Adelaide after drawing with one of the competition’s contenders in Port Adelaide last week. Adelaide to win 4-2.

Premier League Men
A classic mid-week contest between two final contenders looms large tonight when the 2nd placed Adelaide Hockey Club with 11 wins, two draws and two losses take on the 4th placed North East with 8 wins, two draws and four losses.

It was mixed results for the two teams in round 15 with Adelaide going down to Port Adelaide 3-0 and North East having a confidence boosting 6-3 win over Burnside.

Last time Adelaide and North East met was in round 9 with Adelaide defeating North East 6-3.

North East coach Jordan Glover said he expected a finals like intensity in tonight’s game and it was important they applied pressure and played as a team.

“The keys for us tonight will be built on the back of our performance last weekend,” Glover said.

“Playing with a team first approach is important and we are looking to set ourselves up for the back end of the season.”

“And applying pressure on Adelaide as well as looking to create opportunities and control the game as a group.”

Adelaide coach Shaun Dawson spoke on Monday about how the mid-week game would be a good test for both teams.

“It will be a tough game tomorrow night for both teams, as we both played yesterday,” Dawson said.

“It will be a test of both squad’s depth and fitness.

“We will look to use and create a variety of passing options to break through the organised North East defence.”

I reckon this will be a lot closer than last time, but I am still tipping Adelaide to win in a tight contest 3-2.

This week’s Matches of the Round are LIVE on LiveHockey - https://livehockey.com.au
Women @ 7:00pm | Men @ 8:30pm