Thrillers cap off memorable Australian U18 Championships

Four enthralling medal matches have provided a rousing finale to this year’s Hockey Australia U18 Championships in Cairns.

A nine-goal thriller decided the Men’s Gold Medal Match, with Western Australia Gold defeating defending champions New South Wales State 5-4.

The match for Bronze was just as gripping as Queensland Maroon came from three goals down against Victoria to make it 3-3 at full time before prevailing 4-3 in the shootout.

In the Women’s competition, the Gold Medal Match was an all Queensland affair with a 58th minute goal from captain Sophie Edwards seeing Queensland Gold edge out Queensland Maroon 2-1.

A goal at the death also decided the Women’s Bronze Medal as Tasmania’s Emma O’Grady proved the hero with a 59th minute winner over WA Gold.

16 year old Toby Mallon from NSW State, who scored twice in the Final against WA Gold, was named the Men’s Player of the Tournament.

The Men’s competition’s Top Goal Scorer went to WA Gold’s Patrick Andrew following his hat-trick in the Gold Medal Match.

Tasmania’s Maddison Brooks took home both the Women’s Player of the Tournament and Top Goal Scorer awards.

The final day wrapped up a highly successful event in Far North Queensland, with the only negative being the COVID forced withdrawal of the Northern Territory Women’s Team midway through the tournament.

The 2022 Hockey Australia U18 Championships were made possible thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland and Cairns Regional Council.

A replay of every match from the championships is available on LIVEHockey.

2022 Hockey Australia U18 Championships - Final Standings
North Cairns Hockey Facility, Cairns QLD

Under 18 Men’s
Men’s match results and final standings
Gold Medal - Western Australia Gold
Silver Medal - New South Wales State
Bronze Medal - Queensland Maroon

Player of the Tournament - Toby Mallon (NSW State)
Top Goal Scorer - Patrick Andrew (WA Gold)
Play the Whistle Award - NSW Blue
Umpires of the Gold Medal Match - Peter Roberts, Cameron Rutley
Technical Official of the Gold Medal Match - Melanie Craig
Umpires of the Bronze Medal Match - Toby Power, Harry Lye
Technical Official of the Bronze Medal Match - Kylie Fullerton

Under 18 Women’s
Women’s match results and final standings
Gold Medal - Queensland Gold
Silver Medal - Queensland Maroon
Bronze Medal - Tasmania

Player of the Tournament - Maddison Brooks (TAS)
Top Goal Scorer - Maddison Brooks (TAS)
Play the Whistle Award - Queensland Maroon
Umpires of the Gold Medal Match - Mel Blanchard, Jessica Edwards
Technical Official of the Gold Medal Match - Janice Noonan
Umpires of the Bronze Medal Match - Stephanie Thompson, Iris Milham
Technical Official of the Bronze Medal Match - Kendra Murphy