HC Melbourne’s leaders locked in and ready to tackle Adelaide Fire

A seasoned trio of captains has been named ahead of HC Melbourne's showdown with Adelaide Fire in Round 1 of the Liberty Hockey One League. Damon Steffens will lead the men's team, while Hannah Gravenall and Rachael Lynch will share captaincy duties for the women.

Joining Steffens on the men's leadership team are former Kookaburra Josh Simmonds, experienced campaigner Doug Buckley and rising star Liam Henderson. The women's leadership group will be bolstered by vice-captain Aisling Utri.

Last season, HC Melbourne Men faced Adelaide at home in Round 2, falling 2-3 to the Fire. This year, the men's team is eager to rectify that result and make a strong statement. New signing Peter Scott, who played for Adelaide last season, will face his former teammates in a highly anticipated clash. The women's team is hoping to capitalise on the attacking prowess of international signing Charlotte Stapenhorst and returning star Hannah Cotter, who recently represented New Zealand's national team.

When asked about the selection process for the men's leadership team, coach Andrew Smith explained, "We sought input from the players on who they believed best embodied our core values of accountability, professionalism, leaning in, mateship, and trust, and who they wanted to lead the group." Smith added, "Damon Steffens did an excellent job leading the team last year, so we backed him in as captain again. To support him, we chose Josh Simmonds and Doug Buckley, who are experienced Hockey One players with great individual strengths, and Liam Henderson, an intelligent hockey player who can be a voice for the younger members of the squad."

Hannah Gravenall, fresh from winning the Victorian Premier League Grand Final and representing the New Zealand Black Sticks, has been selected as captain alongside Rach Lynch. Lynch boasts an impressive resume, including 233 games for Australia, two Olympic appearances, two Commonwealth Games gold medals and a World Cup silver medal.

Women's coach Dan Mitchell discussed the selection process for his leadership team, stating, " The leadership group is very much guided by the playing group. It’s a really dynamic group, they each bring a different set of skills to table and all are valued very highly by the playing group and staff alike.”

HC Melbourne’s season opener starts this Friday, 11 October where HC Melbourne take on the Adelaide Fire in Adelaide. Catch all the action live & free on 7plus.
Men: 7.30pm & Women: 9.00pm *Game times in AEDT (Melbourne Time)

HC Melbourne will be back at home after our bye in Round 2 on Saturday, 26 October. Our Men and Women take on Perth Thundersticks live from State Netball Hockey Centre in Parkville.

HC Melbourne have 3 home games this year:

• Round 3 – Saturday, 26 October vs Perth Thundersticks
• Round 4 – Friday, 1 November vs NSW Pride
• Round 7 – Friday, 22 November vs Tasmania Tigers

Memberships are now on sale, get yours here: https://am.intix.com/hockey-club-melbourne

HC Melbourne are proudly sponsored by Equity-One, DEOL, UNCLOUD, Polytan, PRL & SA1NT layers.

 2023 HEAD-TO-HEAD

Adelaide Fire Men v HC Melbourne Men
October 13 – Adelaide Fire won 3-2 away from home in Melbourne

Adelaide Fire Women v HC Melbourne Women
October 13 – HC Melbourne won 2-1 in Melbourne

 TEAM LISTS
Adelaide Fire Men
1. Jed Snowden (gk), 2. Luke Anderson, 3. Lucas Toonen, 4. Jack Holland, 5. Trent Symss, 7. Geoff Abbott, 8. Seb Foster, 9. Fred Gray ©, 15. Fraser Bowden, 16. Hugh Snowden, 19. Tom Brown, 20. Daniel Sibbald, 21. Jethro Eustice, 25. Landon Morley, 27. Oliver Higgins (gk), 33. Mitchell Dell

HC Melbourne Men
2. Peter Scott, 3. Jonathan Bretherton, 4. Liam Henderson, 6. Damon Steffens ©, 8. Kade Leigh, 10. Brad Marais, 11. Cooper Burns, 13. Andrew Scanlon, 15. Josh Simmonds, 17. Will Carruthers, 18. Johan Durst, 19. Jordan Rees, 20. Nye Roberts, 22. Ben White, 26 Eden Davis, 99. William Johnson *E GK

Adelaide Fire Women
1. Bridget Laurance (GK), 3. Sherilyn Cass, 4. Teyiah Abell, 5. Holly Evans, 7. Linzi Appleyard, 8. Miki Spano, 9. Britney Desilva, 10. Tyler Pedley, 11. Lucy Sharman, 13. Hattie Shand ©, 16. Casey Crowley 19. Julia Van de Heuvel, 21. Amy Hammond (gk), 23. Margot van Geffen, 24. Shona McCallin, 29. Rosario Villagra

HC Melbourne Women
1. Sophie Taylor, 2. Aisling Utri, 5. Kristina Bates, 6. Josie Lawton, 7. Ciara Utri, 8. Hannah Cotter, 10. Emily Hamilton-Smith, 12. Charlotte Stapenhorst, 14. Laura Barden, 15. Olivia Downes, 20. Zali Ward, 22. Charlotte Hodgson, 25. Hannah Gravenall ©, 27. Rachael Lynch (gk), 31. Evie Stansby, 99. Olivia Souter *E GK