Premier League Round 18 – Match of the Round Preview

Published Fri 04 Aug 2023

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Round 18 – Match of the Round Preview

Burnside Hockey Club v Adelaide University Hockey Club

Preview by Bevan Jones

Premier League Women

As the minor round nears its exciting conclusion, the anticipation reaches its peak as Burnside and Adelaide University collide in a high stakes encounter with a finals spot on the line.

Burnside sit in 5th place with seven wins, one draw and nine losses in 2023 and are three points off 4th placed Adelaide University who have eight wins, one draw and eight losses this season.

Both teams had mixed results in round 17 with Adelaide University having a 4-1 win over Grange but Burnside going down 4-1 against championship favourites Seacliff.

Last time these sides met it was a tight encounter with Adelaide University winning 3-2 in a thrilling contest.

Adelaide University coach Darren Neimke said it was an exciting time of the year for his team with finals around the corner.

“We're coming off of the back of a good week with two wins and a tight midweek game against Seacliff in round 16,” he said.

“There's a real finals buzz building around the club at the moment with every game being like a final for us.

“The tempo of games has definitely gone up a notch, and the level is up at training too.

“We're expecting this week's game to be played at finals-level intensity which is exciting for us, because that's obviously what you train and prepare so hard for all year.

“Our games against Burnside this year have all been close.

“We'll pay attention to their key players but it's mostly about utilising our strengths across the pitch.”

Burnside coach Sanjay Singh who co-coaches the team with Nick Pannell said he was confident his team can reverse last time’s result and get the win over Adelaide University.

“Nick and I were extremely pleased with the girls’ effort against Seacliff,” Singh said.

“We matched it with a quality side for three out of four quarters and the girls’ effort was superb. They outplayed us in the third where we tired a little but overall we created enough opportunities to show we a can match it with the sides above us on the ladder.

“Whilst we like to focus on how we can improve as a team, the magnitude of the clash against Adelaide Uni is not lost on us.

“Uni have had the better of us so far this season, but we feel that we are peaking at the right time as a team.

“Our lines are all working cohesively which we believe will enable us to put in a strong performance and hit the back of the net this Saturday against another quality side.”

With a finals spot hanging in the balance this upcoming clash looms as a thrilling spectacle for hockey enthusiasts.

So mark your calendars and be ready to witness an enthralling display of women's hockey excellence as Burnside and Adelaide University collide in this crucial match with potential finals ramifications for either side.

I am tipping it be a thriller with Burnside to reverse last time’s result and win 3-2.

Premier League Men

As the Men's Hockey League season draws to a close, pride takes centre stage as the Burnside and Adelaide University teams face off in a highly anticipated clash. While the finals may be out of the question for both sides, the desire to end the season on a high note makes for an enthralling encounter.

Burnside currently sit 6th with a 5-12 record and are coming off a tough 9-3 loss against Seacliff in round 17 whilst Adelaide University sit on bottom of the ladder with an 0-17 record and is coming off a 5-2 loss against Grange.

Burnside and Adelaide University last met in round 11 and on that occasion, it was Burnside proving far too strong with a 7-1 victory.

Adelaide University coach Max Bail said his team had been playing well despite not getting a win so far in 2023.

"We are looking for our first points of the year this week after a solid month of hockey for the group,” Bail said.

“It is the first time for the year that we have everyone available so it's exciting to see what we can do.

“Burnside always provide a challenge with their key players very difficult to keep out of a game for the full 70 minutes.

“The key to the game will be through the midfield and if we can play smart hockey, we should get the result"

Burnside coach Dan Haseloff said there was plenty to play for despite his side not being able to play finals this year.

“We have been hit by injuries and general availability which is not unique which presents opportunities for guys that might not have gotten a look in otherwise so there’s a bit to play for and got smaller goals we have set and try and take the learnings towards 2024.,” he said.

“They will be looking to get a win, they have shown they are competitive for long periods of the game despite their record, we will just have to grind a win as best as we can and stay true how we want to play.

“Both teams are in a tough spot and trying to salvage what we can out of the year, the Seacliff game last week wasn’t our best day out so we will be looking to bounce back from that.”

In this clash between Burnside and Adelaide University, pride will be on the line as both teams seek to leave a lasting impression at the end of the season.

With Adelaide University having one of their best teams on the park this year I think they can notch their first win of 2023. Adelaide University to win 4-3