The OAMPS Queensland Blades will have a chance to redeem last years Grand Final loss when they face the SmokeFree WA Thundersticks in the 2009 Championship Match of the men’s Australian Hockey League (AHL).

Despite being the favorites for the competition the Blades were made to work for their ticket to the Grand Final, eventually proving too good for a gallant NSW team who tested Queensland today.

Finding themselves two goal down, NSW fought their way back and drew level early in the second half.

Eventually Queensland proved too powerful and their scoring power was on display with Jacob Whetton and Michael Bates sealing the victory for Queensland.

NSW will now face Victoria for third place in what will be an even contest, with both teams eager to make up for today’s Semi Final losses.

Queensland will look forward to playing WA once again after their shock Grand Final defeat last year, however can not take them lightly with WA proving their skill against Victoria today.

Having defeated WA 2-0 earlier in the week Victoria would have gone in confident today. However WA was the team to stand up, who after an even first half blew away the Vikings with three unanswered second half goals.

In today’s earlier matches NT pulled off a huge upset by defeating the Canberra Lakers in extra time. The win gives the Stingers an opportunity to finish as high as fifth, while the Lakers, who entered Round 7 still with a chance to make the top four, will be desperate to avoid bottom place when they clash with the Southern Hotshots tomorrow.

Although the win was an upset, NT deserved today’s victory after coming so close on so many occasions throughout the tournament. Fittingly, it was Kookaburras star Des Abbott who sealed the victory for NT, scoring a golden goal in the extra time period.

Tasmania were made to work hard during their match today against the Southern Hotshots, however in the end they proved too good and now find themselves in a 5th place playoff against the NT Stingers tomorrow.

Initially finding themselves down on the scoreboard, two quick goals to Kwan Browne pushed the Tigers in front where they remained all match.

SA threatened on several occasions, however young Kookaburra star Eddie Ockenden sealed the match with five minutes to go, scoring what many believe was the goal of the tournament at the 65 minute mark.

Source: Hockey Australia