Fantastic Semi-Final win for D1 Women, with Rachel proving once again that she can handle the pressure of the sudden death shootout!
Under 10 Mini-Carnival
The morning started with a pentathlon of 5 different activities and skills tests. There were some great efforts to jink the ball into the tub. This was followed by a short game with lots of super skills on display again.
Under 12
Newtown Spirit vs Torquay 0-1
It was Preliminary Final time – the winner to face Corio in the Grand Final.
The game started and immediately we noticed Torquay with all 11 players in defence. If they did get the ball free they had no one to pass to in their forward line – standing there was Spirit’s goalie and three defenders. It was interesting to see them play the game this way, it was definitely a fear response, they wanted to stop a Spirit goal rather than actively try for a goal themselves. So Spirit’s 7 attacking players were kept busy against 11 Torquay defenders. For the majority of the first half the ball was exclusively in Spirit’s forward line – a huge effort!
At half time the score was 0-0 and coaches spoke of brilliant long passes, staying on the goal post and chasing down the ball.
The second half was a bit more even and with 6 minutes left to play Torquay received a short corner. A terrible push in by Torquay was immediately under attack by Spirit. Several attempts at goal were deflected before Torquay got lucky and snuck one past. And that pretty much summed up the game – luck played a huge part in the game.
Spirit should be immensely proud of how they played. It was probably the best they’ve played all season both individually and as a team – every player on the field gave 110%.
Congratulations Spirit on a fantastic season. Your work ethic, willingness to learn and commitment to training was outstanding, and the results showed through your significant improvement over the season.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Saints 5-3 (Extra time shootout)
With our whole side available (which hasn’t happened many times this season), Newtown started strong and were able to quickly score 2 goals, one from the field by Owen and the other a short corner conversion from Ainsley.
As the game progressed, the game became increasingly physical with Owen being sidelined for the final quarter after getting her ankle hooked by a Saints player.
With an early lead to defend, unfortunately Saints were able to claw back two goals to finish regular time 2 -2.
Going into the penalty shootout, Rach was on fire and repelled 3 of the 5 shots against her (there was a questionable call for a 4th save but we’ll accept that the umpires are only human 😅). For Newtown, Steph and Ruby were able to find the back of the net, forcing a sudden death round. With the confidence that Steph showed in the first round, she stepped up again and was able to score which then left it up to Rach to bring us home, and in typical style she forced the Saints player wide and over the baseline to secure a well deserved win.
Amazing efforts from everyone on the field, it was definitely a win that we’ve been building up to over the later half of the season and something that we’ll be able to carry into the next final versus Geelong.
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vs Corio 3-6
Having defeated Corio in the last game, we approached this game with some confidence. We started the game well, with Chelsea being in the perfect spot to tap the cross pass from the right wing into goal, and it looked like being a great game.
Corio were at full strength however, with some highly skilled players making it difficult for us to cut off the play at the top of our defensive circle. Our defensive team of Kayla, Kirsty, Tash, Benno, Andie, Ricki and Sarah faced an onslaught and dealt with many of them very successfully. Corio’s tendency to sit a forward high in their attacking zone required close attention to our position and ability to intercept.
Continuing determination and hard work from our forwards Chelsea, Kristy, Lara, Jess, Tilly, Hanna and Ivy spearheaded attacks for Strikers and gave us opportunities in front of goal. Further goals to Tash and Tilly, and at half time the score was 3-3.
The second half saw Corio continue to put on the pressure and despite our best efforts they were able to put 3 more goals on the board to clinch the win.
Well done to all the Strikers players and congratulations on a terrific season! See you again in 2026 for an even better year.
Fantastic game from U10 Strikers with 16 goals total scored by both teams
Amazing game from U16 Strikers to draw with the second team. Go Strikers!!
And the D2 Men are on the path to the finals with 4 wins in a row!
Under 10 Mini-Carnival
A fun morning at Lloyd Reserve for our Mini-Carnival. We recruited a couple of parents too, and split into four teams to play 3 short games.
There was some great passing and good running to create spaces for team mates. The improvement in skills and strategy which all players have shown since the beginning of the season is a delight to watch.
Under 12
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 4-1
Semi finals day and the excitement (and nerves) were running strong for both the players and the spectators. Spirit had never lost to Strikers but the scorecard never told just how tight the games were between the two Newtown teams.
Strikers started with the ball but it was quickly taken into the Spirit forward line and it didn’t take long for the opening goal off the stick of Mitchell. This was quickly followed by two additional goals both by Paddy.
At half time the score was 3-0 in favour of Spirit. Coaches spoke of spreading and creating options to receive the ball, continued pressure on the Striker’s defence, and to keep up the energy.
Ten minutes into the second half Strikers had Spirit goalie Leon under pressure. He stood tall to deflect many attempts at goal. A penalty inside the D and Strikers received a short corner which they converted to put their first goal on the scorecard.
The ball went back into Spirit’s forward line and with 13 minutes remaining on the clock Spirit had their first short corner for the match. Caspar snuck the ball past the goalie and into the goals….. but in all the excitement and cheering we had missed hearing the umpire’s whistle; the goal was not allowed. Again with another short corner and another disallowed goal off the stick of Caspar after the umpires said the ball did not come outside the D before going back inside. It seems that Caspar has the magic touch for getting into the right position to receive the ball and push it past the goalie, Spirit just need to work on getting it to him without fault.
Towards the end of the game Paddy pushed another one past the Striker’s goalie and that’s how the game finished with a 4-1 win to Spirit.
Congratulations Strikers on a fantastic season!
Spirit will now face Torquay in the next final. We first played Torquay in round 1 with an 8-0 defeat, in round 6 it was a 1-1 draw, round 11 was cancelled. Torquay will be surprised by how much Spirit has grown as a team this season. Looking forward to a great match this Saturday.
Under 14
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 2-3
This was one of the best games, if not the best, the Strikers played this season. We started hard and our efforts were rewarded with an early goal. We should have gotten a second goal but a Torquay defender stopped the ball from going in with her body. Torquay came back hard and put in two goals.
We came back strongly in the second half and got the equaliser. Torquay got their third goal in the last few minutes of the game.
We had 15 players for this game. We had Mitch, Chelsea, Sidak, Alexandra, Jack H and Jack P as our awesome attackers. We interchanged the forwards every 5 minutes to ensure we had fresh legs harassing the Torquay defence. All our forwards played well and did their best to break the Torquay defence.
Our half line was made up of Eliza, Jack F, Eva, Alex l and Emily. Jack H also helped out the half line so that everyone could get a break. The half line held strong and worked hard to support the attackers with penetrating passes.
Our defence was steadfast throughout the game and managed to stop many of Torquay’s attacks. The defence was made up of Lilly, Lucas and Elizabeth.
Our last man in goal was Albie. He did an excellent job protecting our goal. He has improved with every game this season.
Everyone lifted their game for this final. The work rate from the team was excellent. Chelsea O, Sidak, Jack F, Eva, Jack H and Lucas worked extra hard, covering large areas of the field and applying extra pressure on the opponents.
I may be biased but I think we were the better of the two teams. We had more possession of the ball and more chances at goals. Unfortunately in hockey sometimes the better team loses. Having said that, it was a great game to finish the 2025 Winter season on.
Well done Strikers. Let’s come back stronger and more hungry in 2026.
Under 16
Newtown Strikers vs Corio White 16-6
The U16 Strikers went head-to-head with a formidable Corio Red side in what was set to be a massive semi-final clash.
The first quarter started with some promising pressure from the Strikers, with Oliver making a strong push into our D. Ivy followed up, applying good pressure in the Corio D to prevent an early shot on goal. However, Corio’s attack soon found its rhythm, and they managed to put two goals past us in quick succession.
Our goalkeeper, Kayden, was a brick wall, making a fantastic save off a big hit from Corio. Fortunately, another one of Corio’s powerful shots sailed just over the goal. The pressure continued, with Corio managing to score another goal. Jess had a great chance with a shot on goal but was unlucky with the final touch. Kayden then pulled off another massive save from yet another big Corio hit, but the pressure was relentless. Corio scored two more goals, including one from a penalty 1v1. By the end of the first quarter, the scoreboard read Corio 5, Newtown 0.
The second quarter saw Corio’s dominance continue as they scored three more goals. During a penalty 1v1, Kayden made an incredible initial save, only for Corio to score on the second attempt. However, the Strikers never gave up. Oliver managed to get the ball into the D, but there was no one there to receive it. The quarter’s highlight came from the back. After Kayden made yet another impressive save, he quickly cleared the ball with a powerful kick down the center of the field. Parker, showing fantastic awareness, picked it up mid-field and began a blistering run. He drove the ball all the way into the D and slotted home our first goal of the match! It was a brilliant solo effort, but it all started with Kayden’s sharp work in goals. The half-time score stood at Corio 9, Newtown 1.
After the break, Corio continued to apply pressure and scored another goal. But the Strikers showed their fighting spirit on the other end, earning a penalty 1v1 of their own. Oliver stepped up and coolly put the ball in the back of the net to give us our second goal of the match! In defense, Kayden and Cormac teamed up brilliantly on the goal line to save another shot, showcasing their great teamwork. Unfortunately, Corio was able to score from a penalty 1v1 and added a few more goals to their tally despite another good save from Kayden. By the end of the third quarter, the score was Corio 14, Newtown 2.
In the final quarter, the Strikers delivered their best performance of the match, winning the quarter and finishing with immense pride. The breakthrough came from a tactical play suggested by Jess during the third-quarter break. Oliver executed it perfectly with a beautiful aerial pass to Parker in the D. Parker took a shot, and Jess was perfectly positioned on the post to score our first goal of the quarter. Shortly after, Oliver again got the ball into the D, finding Jess for another fantastic goal.
The team’s camaraderie was on full display with our third goal. Parker took a powerful shot in the D, and Jess tapped it through for the goal. While Parker was convinced it would have gone in without the tap, Jess felt it was necessary, sparking some friendly banter about “stealing goals.” Oliver then scored our final goal of the match off a big hit in the D. We also had some great defensive work, with Sidak making a good intercept to stop a Corio run. Corio managed to score two more goals, but the Strikers had the better of the quarter.
The final whistle blew with the scoreboard reading Corio 16, Newtown 6. While the result wasn’t what we hoped for, the team showed incredible resilience and finished on a high note by winning the final quarter. It was a fantastic effort from the entire team in a tough semi-final.
The final whistle marked the end of a hard-fought game and the conclusion of the U16 Newtown Strikers’ season. Despite the semi-final loss, Coach Mike had nothing but positive words for the team. The way the Strikers played in the last quarter shows the character of the team, and to dominate a team like Corio in the final quarter is a huge achievement and something they should be proud of. It’s a testament to how far they’ve come this season!
Congratulations to the entire team on a tough but great season.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Geelong White 5-1
Division 2 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Torquay Tornadoes 0-2
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vs Corio 4-1
What a great game to finish the home and away season! After 2 draws and a not so good game against Corio during the season, this game was expected to be another hard tussle.
A goal apiece to both teams and it looked as if we might be heading for another draw. But Strikers’ players were all determined and 100% focused on changing that outcome. Instructions from the coach at half time were to just pass the ball from the right wing across the front of the goal. Right Coach! Will do! And Kristy’s pass found Jess in just the right place to put the ball in the net.
The defence continued to defy the Corio attempts to dominate, with Tash and Kayla turning back many forward moves and not letting the ball into the circle. Kirsty returned for the second half and again led the defence, with Corio having very few opportunities and very few short corners.
Midfield defence and marking of the opposition in the second half was excellent, with Hannah, Ricki, Sarah, Andie and Benno all getting in the way of any Corio moves and using quick passes to return the play to Strikers’ advantage. Ricki’s anticipation again saw her intercept many of Corio’s passes and continue on with strength to carry the ball forward.
Great connections between the midfield and the forwards was the result of determined running back to receive the ball and using the support behind from Lara, Ivy, Jess, Kristy and Hanna. Kristy’s ball control skills and strong spins to get behind the defenders and into the circle was fantastic!
Goals to Tash, Kristy and Jess (2). Well done everyone.
We will face up to Corio again this week in the semi-final so we expect an exciting game!
Fantastic game from U10 Strikers with 16 goals total scored by both teams
Amazing game from U16 Strikers to draw with the second team. Go Strikers!!
And the D2 Men are on the path to the finals with 4 wins in a row!
Under 10 Stead Park
Newtown Strikers vs Geelong Jaguars 8-8
With Harry and Will unavailable, the U10 Strikers were kept busy on the pitch this week, fielding 6 players to the Jags’ 7. Despite this, the Strikers were soon on the scoreboard thanks to a goal from Ryder off a short corner. Lily and Austin had a lot of the ball early, creating more opportunities that led to another goal for Ryder and then one each for Lily and Austin as well.
Four goals up and things were looking great! Geelong soon responded with a goal, which was quickly answered by Lily running the ball into our D before passing to Ryder, who scored his third for the morning. This was the beginning of back-and-forth goal scoring, with Geelong getting the ball back and scoring their second right before halftime. Going into the break, the score was 5-2 Newtown’s way.
The second half started with two quick goals… to Geelong! Suddenly things were heating up, with the score now 5-4. A Strikers’ short corner went begging, but Lily and Ryder were soon teaming up again. A nice pass from Lily led to a much-needed goal from Ryder.
For the remainder of the half, it was back-and-forth goal scoring. Geelong scored, followed by a goal from Georgia for the Strikers. Another Geelong goal and a near-miss from Lily’s shot on goal were soon followed up with a Strikers’ goal from Austin in a short corner. Geelong got lucky with another goal which just slid over the line despite Elspeth’s best efforts, taking the score to 8-7 with the Strikers just in front and minutes to go.
Geelong attacked hard in the final minutes, and what surely should have been another Geelong goal was saved by Lily. In the final seconds, Geelong found a short corner, and despite the Strikers’ best efforts, the Jags found the back of the net, tying the game at 8-8!
Newtown Spirit vs Saints7-3
In their final game of the season, Newtown Spirit faced off against Saints in an action-packed and high-scoring match that showcased the team’s progress and determination. Saints came out of the blocks quickly, scoring the opening goal and putting Spirit under early pressure. Spirit responded brilliantly, with Charlie making a blistering run the full length of the pitch to slot home the equaliser. Toby and Rupert were pivotal in the centre, moving the ball effectively and linking play between defence and attack. Soon after, Eliza and Miriam combined beautifully in attack, both getting shots on goal from strong team build-up. Harrison, supported by Albert, launched another promising attack down the right wing, before Nadia swept a strong ball across the face of goal to set up two short corners in quick succession. Despite Spirit’s pressure, Saints found the net again. But just before half-time, Charlie surged down the left wing and fired a shot that ricocheted off the post, with Nadia perfectly placed to finish it off and level the scores. Albert’s solid defensive work helped Spirit hold firm until the break.
The second half began with Miriam driving forward on a long run, creating space and setting up Harrison to score from just inside the D. Toby continued to dominate the centre, distributing the ball and keeping the team in control, while Eliza kept the pressure on with a powerful run upfield. Charlie launched another attack from deep in defence, with Harrison adding the final touch for his second goal. From the restart, Miriam burst out of the contest and drove toward goal, her shot blocked by a defender, but Harrison pounced to convert again. The momentum stayed with Spirit, with Harrison making a determined run down the right wing, beating the last defender and finishing off his hat-trick. Saints replied with a goal of their own, but Spirit weren’t done yet. The final goal of the match came from a perfect forward pass and movement from Albert, finding Harrison in space to slot home his fifth goal of the day.
This game capped off a fantastic season for Spirit—one that has seen every player grow in skill, confidence, and understanding of the game. The teamwork, energy, and resilience shown across the field is a credit to the entire group.
Under 10 Lloyd Reserve
Newtown Rockets vs Newtown Dynamos 1-9
Rockets began the game with plenty of enthusiasm and determination. Some great deep defence again in front of goal by Alex, and his strong and accurate passes kept the play out of danger and limited the early scoring opportunities for Dynamos. David and Nora demonstrated great passing and good back up support for team mates when the play did head to our defence area.
Great position by Tully and good ball control skills saw him run the ball into attack and put the ball in the goal! Great celebrations!! But alas we then realised that the ball had been hit from outside the circle and did not count as a goal. Thanks to Tully for his honesty in clarifying the situation.
Dynamos continued to push forward and despite good short corner defence from Alex, David, Nora, Tully and Zita, Dynamos were able to claim a goal after a penalty stroke was awarded – which then becomes an automatic goal.
Rockets continued to work well together with Zita, Tully and Hadley looking for each other and making great position. A goal to Tully, this one from inside the circle, was a good reward for effort. Marking of opposition players has greatly improved this season, and it’s very pleasing to see the improving strategic awareness of the Rockets players. Good tackling and great passing with strength in order to reach team mates has been a feature, especially in the latter half of the season.
Rockets kept up the effort but as the game progressed Dynamos continued to put the pressure on and earned their goals. Well done Rockets! A great game and a great season!
Newtown Dynamos vs Newtown Rockets 9-1
In the final official round of the winter junior season at Lloyd Reserve, the U10 clash between the Dynamos and the Rockets delivered a spirited contest that showcased the growth and grit of both teams. The first half was tightly contested, with impressive passing sequences and determined defensive efforts keeping the game balanced. Both sides demonstrated strong positional awareness and teamwork, forcing defenders to dig deep and respond to fast-paced transitions. The Rockets held their ground admirably, matching the Dynamos in intensity and resilience, making for an exciting and competitive opening half.
The second half saw the Dynamos pull away on the scoreboard, ultimately securing a 9–1 victory, but the match remained a testament to the effort and sportsmanship of both teams. The Rockets continued to press forward with courage, and their lone goal was a well-earned reward for their persistence. The Dynamos’ attacking combinations stepped up but the scoreline didn’t fully reflect the hard-fought nature of the game from both sides . A huge thank you to the coaches, whose guidance not only sharpened the players’ skills but also helped parents better understand the rules and spirit of junior hockey. It’s been an amazing season filled with learning, camaraderie, and fun on the field
Newtown Jets vs Newtown Rebels 1-0
Under 12
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong Thunderstrike 1-2
On a very foggy morning at Stead Park, Spirit ran on to the field with a spring in their step. This was pitch 1, the pitch on which they are unbeaten. It was the last round of the season and they had already qualified for finals.
The game started and as expected the ball was controlled by Spirit. The Thunderstrike goalie stood tall against the numerous attempts at goal. It was 10 minutes into the game that Thunderstrike ran the ball down the pitch, into their D and scored. The scoreboard didn’t stay that way for long as Spirit pushed the ball back into their forward line and Lily pushed one into the net. Every time Thunderstrike pushed the ball out of Spirit’s forward line the ball was met by Sam who sent it straight back down the pitch. Spirit had control for the majority of the game and had countless short corners but just couldn’t capitalise with a goal. Thunderstrike took a rare chance and pushed another one into goal; that’s how the game finished.
That’s a wrap for the regular season – a win rate of 60%. Good luck Spirit in your finals campaign!
Newtown Strikers vsGeelong Roar 2-5
The U/12 Newtown Strikers played a spirited game against Geelong Roar, with the first half proving to be super competitive and evenly matched. Mitch opened the scoring early with a sharp strike off a short corner, and some slick passing between Casper–Felix–Harry and Dot–Miriam–Henry created exciting attacking chances. One standout moment saw Miriam and Harry exchanging passes right in front of goal, only to be denied by the narrowest of misses! At the back, Edward and Fraser were rock solid, keeping the Roar to just one goal, sending us into halftime locked at 1–1.
The second half saw our defence tested again, with the Edward–Fraser–Casper triangle working overtime. Out wide, Miriam and Isla found great positions, helping set up more attacks. Felix made a strong run forward, supported by Henry, and Harry finished it off with a well-placed goal. Dot and Miriam combined again to fire off another shot.
Despite Fraser’s continued heroics in defence, Geelong found ways to break through in the final stages, scoring four second-half goals. The game ended 5–2 in Geelong’s favour, but the Strikers showed determination, teamwork, and plenty of moments to be proud of.
Under 14
Newtown Strikers vs Corio White 0-11
Credit and congratulations must be given to Corio, who played a better tactical game compared to the Strikers. We knew that Corio had fast and skillful forwards and we tried to counter this by having multiple defensive layers. On hindsight, this was not a good idea because we were not familiar enough with the new format to execute it well and were a bit lost in positional play and marking the opponent. We started to tire in the second half and Corio took advantage of this.
We started the game well in defence with Lucas making several good tackles and Lilly, playing sweeper at the back, picking up loose balls. We had Felix and Edward (from U12) playing in the centreback position to cut out the play coming through the centre. Emily S also played in a defensive role. Albie was strong in goal and made many good saves but even he could not stop Corio from scoring.
Our half line was made up of Eliza B, Chelsea O and Eva H. These 3 were kept very busy by Corio attackers and half line. These 3 young ladies held on well for most of the game but tired in the last 10 minutes of the game due to all the running they did in the first half.
Our forward line struggled a bit in this game as they were not able to launch effective attacks. Alex H made several good runs down the left but our forwards were often outnumbered by the Corio defence. Jack P tried hard but could not connect with team mates to receive their passes. Mitchell B was well marked and could not make his usual penetrating runs down the right wing.
All in all, the team gave their best and produced some good moments. Special thanks to Felix and Edward from U12 who stepped in to allow us to have a bench. We hope the experience was valuable to them.
Under 16
Newtown Strikers vs Corio White 6-6
Newtown got off to their best start of the season this week with an early goal to Sofia, who had positioned themselves perfectly on the post to receive the pass from Oliver. This was quickly followed up by a nice goal from Jess, off a hit in the D that put the ball high in the back of the net. Corio tried hard to respond, but despite them drawing three penalty 1-on-1s, Kayden had all three covered in spectacular style. Sidak was also strong in defense, and at quarter time, the Strikers were up two goals to a goalless Corio!
With some spring in their step, the Strikers started the second quarter just as strong as the first. Both Oliver and Cormac handled some tough pressure from Corio, and some handy passes from Jess to Oliver, then to Sidak in the D, resulted in a great goal for Sidak. Corio gathered their thoughts and stepped things up, responding with three goals, although it could have been two more had it not been for more saves from Kayden. Just before halftime, Jess brought out the big hits again to score our fourth goal, giving the Strikers a 1-goal lead going into the break.
Quarter three was tough hockey, with neither side having many chances. Cormac did a great job clearing the ball out of the Corio D when it went in, and Sidak had a huge save in there as well to stop a Corio goal. Oliver and Jess worked hard to create opportunities for a goal, but it was Corio who won out, scoring the only goal for the quarter. The score was level at three-quarter time, 4-4!
The final quarter saw the Strikers going out with everything to play for, hoping this might be their first win on the field. Kayden had some great saves, while Parker and Oliver teamed up to pile some pressure on Corio, resulting in numerous frees our way from their mistakes. Corio looked to have sealed the result with the next two goals—one off a penalty 1-on-1 and the second coming after a minor collision on the field (Newtown’s good sportsmanship and care for the opposition player leaving our defense open for an easy goal). The Strikers were not done, though. Parker put his body (well, mostly his injured thumb!) on the line to get the ball into the D, where Jess was able to score a goal. And with seconds to go, Jess found the back of the net again, leveling the score at 6-6, right before the final whistle!
A huge effort for the Strikers this week, and it shows just how far the team has come this season. These words were also echoed by the umpires and the Corio coach and team manager, who were impressed with how much the team has improved over the year. Great momentum to take into next week’s semi-final!
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons Bye
Division 2 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Geelong Blue 1-0
As a perfect example of teamwork overcoming talent, Newtown turned on a performance befitting the milestone match for Dave Wyld’s 450th. An early goal for the Falcons had the top-of-the-ladder Geelong Jaguars relying heavily on a select few to do all the work. Although our opponents were implementing 3D skills and aerial play that would be expected at much higher grades, the unity of the mighty maroons prevailed. Parker H has had a remarkable debut season with a striker’s instinct for scoring once again.
Dave W played like Benjamin Button, turning back the clock and holding the midfield together. Our defensive unit of Adam K, Andrew B, Tom McD, Mick B and PR has gelled beautifully throughout the season. They held off repeated penalty corners, clearing Madden’s pads with discipline and composure. The three-pronged attack of our left side, Gavin, Lochie, and AJ, looked dangerous all game and were unlucky not to score. Perhaps some practice is needed on our attacking penalty corners, as several opportunities were squandered. A late second card to our Centre Half put the pressure on our reduced numbers, but the on-field communication was brilliant, marshalling the squad to adjust and adapt.
In a close and tightly fought match, it was fantastic to hold on for another win and make it four in a row.
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 2-2
Previous games this year against Torquay have resulted in a 1-1 draw and a 0-1 loss so we were expecting another close game. This proved to be another come from behind (twice) draw and a great game.
Despite missing a couple of key players for this game the team worked hard all over the field to deny Torquay any easy access to goal. Great marking by Andie, Ricki, Hannah, Sarah and Benno cut off many of Torquay’s attempts to reach their scoring circle. Well timed interceptions and strong play-on ball control by Ricki saw the play move forward to our advantage on many occasions. Proactive play by Tash and Kayla did not allow Torquay an easy path and their positioning and intercepts saw the ball out of danger.
Excellent running to position on the wings by Kristy and Lara saw them create opportunities and advantages for our forwards. Ivy, Jess, Gemma and Peta were always ready to confront the opposition and steal the ball or delay the play. Great use of the back pass by Ivy and Jess then allowed them to create further space for themselves. Goals scored by Jess and Lara, in the right place at the right time!
We have one more game this week, and have already qualified for the Semi-Final! Yay!!
A great game between Newtown Rebels and Newtown Rockets in the U10 Lloyd Reserve games.
Newtown Men are hunting their place in the finals with their 3rd win in a row.
Under 10 Stead Park
Newtown Strikers vs Corio8-0
The Strikers started strong this week, with Ryder heading into our D early and attacking the goals. Lily and Harry joined in to help, and despite a short corner and some shots on goal, it seemed that luck was on the Corio defenders’ side…
Eventually Harry was able to draw a short corner, and the team made the most of it with Georgia scoring the opening goal. This opened the floodgates, and it wasn’t long before Harry and Lily both added a goal to the tally.
Towards the end of the half we saw some great tackles and pressure applied from Georgia, a near miss on goal from Ryder, and just before half time a nice assist from Austin into Harry for his second.
With a 4-0 lead going in the second half, Corio came back out looking to turn things around. Harry switched into defense which brought Zac up forward, just in time for four (4!) Newtown short corners. Corio fended off the first three, but Zac persisted and scored a goal on the fourth.
Corio continued to defend well, and Elspeth was soon in the game having to defend their attempts on goal – doing her best work to clear the ball out of their D. Harry and Georgia were soon able to shut down Corio’s attack, and eventually the ball was back up our end for Ryder to score a goal.
Before the game was over, Ryder and Georgia worked the ball again into our D where Lily was ready to score twice more. Corio’s last attempt to score a goal was stopped by some excellent defending from Georgia, and the Strikers were victorious once more.
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong Jaguars 5-6
Under 10 Lloyd Reserve
Newtown Rockets vs Newtown Rebels 3-3
A great game between these two teams with some excellent skills on display.
Great defence again by Alex in front of goal turned back a number of Rebels’ forward moves and provided the opportunity for David and Nora in the midfield to feed the ball forward with strong passes. Great position by Tully in the centre, working well with Zita and Hadley on the wings working hard to gain possession and then create attacks. Good tackling and excellent passing saw Rockets enter the attacking zone with purpose and Tully was in the right spot to put the scores on the board.
Well done to both teams on a great game!
Newtown Dynamos vs Newtown Jets 5-1
In a high-energy showdown at Lloyd Reserve for Round 14, the U10 Dynamos triumphed over the Jets with a commanding 5–1 win. Mathilda and Georgia led the charge with two goals apiece, showcasing sharp shooting and smart positioning, while Flynn added a fifth with a confident finish. The Dynamos’ coordination and teamwork were on full display, with players linking up beautifully across the field. Their growing chemistry is paying off, and it was clear they’ve been working hard to sharpen their game. Sophie and Florence, both showed great determination for the Dynamos particularly on the wings , bringing extra grit and hustle that helped maintain momentum and control.
The Jets showed impressive defensive discipline, especially around the goal circle. Their backline worked tirelessly to contain the Dynamos’ attack, with several brave blocks and well-timed clearances. The match was a great example of how far both teams have come—full of energy, determination, and improving coordination. It’s exciting to see these young players developing their skills and supporting each other across sports. A brilliant morning of junior competition!
Under 12
Newtown Spirit vs Geelong Roar 2-1
Spirit was led on to the field by 25 game milestone player Ryder as captain.
It was a tough game with Roar having improved a lot since they last played Spirit. The ball went up and down the pitch many times until seven minutes into the game when Elwood pushed a ball past the Roar goalie.
Half time was delayed by a short corner to be played in favour of Spirit; it was kicked away by the Roar goalie without score. At half time coaches reminded players of short corner plays, hot spots and sticks down at all times.
It was early in the second half that Roar scored a goal to take the scoreboard to 1-1. The atmosphere was tense, could Spirit’s unbeaten record on pitch 1 be broken?
The ball went up and down the pitch many times before a series of beautifully executed passes allowed Lily to sneak one past the goalie. The crowd cheered loudly and that was how the scores remained with a tough fought 2-1 win to Spirit.
With only one game left for the season Spirit are sitting 3rd on the ladder and will progress to finals.
Newtown Strikers vs Corio 0-2
The U/12 Newtown Strikers put in a huge-hearted performance against top-of-the-table Corio this week, showing grit, determination and great team spirit. Our ranks were bolstered by international guest player Casper, Elwood and Oliver from Spirit, and Ruby stepping up from U/10s – and what a difference they made!
The first half saw Corio apply plenty of pressure, with much of the play in our defensive half. But our backline was outstanding – Fraser and Thomas were absolute rocks, combining beautifully with Casper to shut down attack after attack and launch some smart clearances. Against the odds, we kept the scores locked at 0–0 by halftime – a massive achievement!
In the second half, the pressure didn’t let up. Dot, Elwood and Oliver worked hard through the midfield, while Henry, Ruby, Isla and Felix found great space out wide and up forward. Our structure paid off with a brilliant passage from Joe to Dot to Felix, leading to a short corner and almost a breakthrough. Henry’s hustle to keep the ball alive was pure determination!
Edward was heroic in goals, pulling off four or five stunning saves to keep us in the contest. A tough moment saw Joe, our spiritual leader, sidelined with an ankle injury off a Corio short corner – but the team rallied and kept fighting.
Despite our incredible effort, Corio broke through late with two second-half goals. Still, this was one of our strongest showings of the season – full of courage, teamwork and resilience.
Well played, Strikers!
Under 14
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 0-4
The final score does not accurately reflect the intensity and competitiveness of the game. The Strikers played hard and produced several goal scoring opportunities but were unfortunate not to convert these chances. Torquay on the other hand took their opportunities well.
Throughout the game, the ball moved from one end of the field to the other. Our defence of Albie, Lilly P and Lucas O were solid. They were well supported by Alex L and Emily S.
The half line was well marshalled by Eliza B, Jack F, Alex L, Emily S and Mitchell B. They were able to stop the attack from Torquay and provide support to the Strikers forwards. Eliza and Jack F showed great determination and put on a strong performance.
Chelsea O also put on a good show. She contributed greatly in defence, in the midfield and attack. She played tirelessly for the entire game.
Our attackers played hard and kept Torquay’s defence on their toes. We had our regulars Mitchell B, Sidak W, Alex H and special guest Paddy from U12. We thank Paddy for agreeing to play as we only had 11 players. He did well on the right wing which is not his usual position.
The Strikers have come a long way since the start of the season. They are playing with more structure, teamwork and purpose. Bravo Strikers. Keep it up.
Under 16
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay 5-9
This week the Strikers got off to a great start – Oliver and Parker were quickly into the D to draw a penalty 1v1, which Oli put into the net. Moments later Jess drew a second 1v1, which Oli took but found the post, however Jess had made her way back into the D fast enough to catch the rebound and get the goal. 2-0 and we’d only been going a few minutes! Torquay soon responded scoring three goals, and Parker just missed out on the equaliser, unable to get the ball through the goalie.
The second quarter proved more fruitful for Parker, who scored a great goal from a free. Despite some excellent saves from Kayden in the goals and Jess putting lots of pressure on Torquay’s number one striker, the halftime score was 3-6 Torquay’s way.
After the long break the Strikers started strong again with a lovely goal from Jess from the baseline past the keeper. Soon after the ball was back in our D, where Parker’s shot on goal was saved by the goalie – with their head! This left the goalie bamboozled for a second and unaware of where the ball was, allowing Parker to have another easy shot to get the goal. Cormac provided solid support in defense to help out Kayden on the goal line to stop a Torquay 1v1, but Torquay managed to get another three in for the quarter.
The final quarter was perhaps the best for the Strikers for the year. Numerous saves from Kayden, shots on goal from outside the D and good clearances out of D from Jack F meant that Torquay went scoreless. Whilst the Strikers couldn’t find the net either, it was the first quarter of the year where the Strikers didn’t allow a goal scored against – another sign that things are on the up!
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Geelong Blue 1-3
A very gutsy game played by Newtown against a strong opposition. Although it wasn’t a win, the team continued their run of matching skilled opposition and it was great to see these efforts rewarded with a penalty stroke converted by Ruby in the final quarter.
Division 2 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Saints Red 2-1
On a Sunday that felt more like spring than the beginning of August, Newtown Men’s Division 2 rocked up near full-strength and ready to play. From the first whistle, it was clear this would be an exciting contest. We scored an early goal from a penalty corner flick, and it felt like everyone on the team was running around, as if we could feel a win was on the cards. Confidence was high, and chat on the field was loud and clear.
Andrew B and Dave W were directing the play beautifully from defence, and thankfully, the listening ears were on and we had structure, formation, and several completed passing plays. But, just when we were beginning to take control of the match, a brief lapse in tackling technique (read: two clumsy fouls in quick succession) saw two of our Falcons get carded and Saints sneak in an equaliser. Whoops.
Still, Newtown dusted off the indiscretion and took control for most of the match, peppering the Saints’ D with chances. AJ, Parker H, and Tom P were absolute workhorses, racing forward on counterattacks, then somehow finding the legs to sprint back in defence.
Brett C was a brick wall in goals; he’s now saving shots with a calm that suggests he may have many years of hockey ahead. With the poise of a man who’s seen it all, PR held the halfline together and dispensed calm wisdom like a hockey-playing oracle.
Meanwhile, the Saints mysteriously forgot Mick B existed and left him unmarked. Their mistake had Mick galloping up the wing and came so close to scoring, twice.
Gavin pressed like a man possessed, hounding the Saints into turnovers and linking up beautifully with Lochie, who carved through the midfield with ease.
A moment of drama came when Tom McD took a hockey ball to the eye. No stitches, thankfully, but he now sports a shiner that makes him look like a man you do not want to cut off in traffic.
Finally, Tom P put the game to bed with a superb finish off another penalty corner. 2-1. Job done. That’s three wins on the trot, and the mood in the squad is buzzing. Finals are still mathematically possible, so if you’ve been ghosting Thursday training, now’s the time to park the excuses and show up before it’s too late.
Let’s keep the streak alive and bring on next week!
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vs Torquay Tornadoes 0-1
A fantastic game from D2 Strikers today despite finishing 0-1.
Lots of determination all over the field and a fantastic game from Andie for her 350th. Best players – everyone!
Torquay scored in the first quarter from a strong short corner hit right into the corner of the goal. Newtown defended strongly with Kirsty and Tash cutting off many Torquay threats before they reached the circle. Torquay’s wings at times managed to take up positions deep our defensive zone but great marking by Andie and Ricki contained the threat.
Great connections between defence and attack saw Strikers continue to push forward and the speed and ball control skills of Ivy, Jess, Tilly, Hanna and determination of Lara, Kristy and Gemma gave us a number of opportunities – unfortunately without a result.
Great marking and passing from Benno, Sarah and Hannah allowed them to return play to Strikers’ advantage. Well done all!
Highlights of the week: great games in the U10 and U12 Newtown derbies and another win for Newtown Falcons in D2 Men which sees them knocking on the door for finals participation. Promising outlooks for the finals for all teams.
Under 10 Stead Park
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit 7-4
This was the third Newtown vs Newtown derby for 2025, and both teams (and the coaches) were keen for a win!
Spirit got off to a strong start, scoring the opening two goals early. The first came from a good second effort in a short corner, and the second despite all of Zach’s valiant efforts to defend! The Strikers soon responded with Georgia, Harry and Austin teaming up for nice passes into the D and a goal for Austin. A few minutes later Austin was back in the D scoring his second – scores level!
For the next 15 mins it was tough hockey. The Strikers worked hard trying to find another goal with more accurate passes from Harry and Ryder into D, but the strong defense from Spirit kept the scores level. Whenever the ball headed back the other way, Will was quick to tackle and intercept, whilst Lily, Zach and Elspeth all held strong in our defense whenever Spirit attacked their goal. A fast shot across goal by Spirit was ever-so-elegantly tapped away by Elspeth (phew!) however right before the half time whistle Spirit scored again. The Strikers were down 2-3 at half time, wondering whether their winning streak was about to end…
The second half kicked off with more good hockey seeing the ball traveling up and down the pitch. It wasn’t long before Austin eyed another opportunity – this time with a great pass to the top of the D where Georgia was ready to pounce and score her first for the game. Ryder tackled hard and put Spirit under pressure, and soon both Harry and Lily had opportunities to score which they made the most of – two goals for Harry and one for Lily.
With the score now at 6-3, Newtown Spirit fought back scoring a goal in an attempt to regain control. Georgia and Zach both stepped up to counter, before Austin added his third goal to the scorecard. Some last minute short corners for both teams went goal-less, and the last derby of the year was done – Strikers winning 7-4.
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 4-7
Under 10 Lloyd Reserve
Newtown Rockets vs Newtown Jets 0-5
An even start to the game with Alex providing some strong defence in front of goals for Rockets. Great focus and proactive approach to the ball from Alex met the opposition attacks early and excellent passes out of danger to team mates limited scores.
David and Hadley showed awareness of team mates in position and made some great passes from the mifield. Nora, Tully and Zita on the forward line were keen to look for spaces and get the ball. Zita showed some fantastic skills with excellent spins to move forward while keeping the ball on her stick. Jets quick passes caught us out a few times and found players in good position to score.
Newtown Dynamos vs Newtown Rebels 5-0
This morning’s match took place under a drizzling rain that persisted for the entire match. Spirits weren’t dampened however with the Rebels and Dynamos providing a very competitive game.
Mathilda supported the Jets team due to low numbers in the first half and Flynn took over for the Jets in the second half.
All players really applied themselves and five goals were scored in the first half for the Dynamos. The goals weren’t easily achieved though with great defense being shown, and numerous Rebel attacking plays were barely contained.
The second half was even more competitive with players spending plenty of time in defensive and attacking situations at both ends of the ground.
Strong passing and many attempts at goal were seen by both sides. Definitely a more mature game is being seen at this stage in the season which is great to see.
Under 12
Newtown Spirit vs Newtown Strikers 4-1
It was time again for the Newtown Derby!
Spirit was led onto the field by 25 game milestone player Hugo as captain. It was a full team line up that included Sam taking the field after his jaw injury.
The ball went up and down the pitch with players on both teams energetically chasing the ball. It was a short corner in favour of Spirit, that was converted by Paddy, to put the first goal on the scoreboard. It was an excellent piece of play as Spirit have struggled all season to convert short corners.
Another goal to Paddy and one to Oliver had Spirit 3-1 up but it was when Ryder pushed his first goal for the season past the goalie that everyone cheered loudly.
One thing that we have come to learn is that the final scorecard of every derby does not accurately speak to how evenly the game was played. It’s such a joy to watch as a spectator.
Well done to ALL Newtown players.
Newtown Strikers vs Newtown Spirit 1-4
Under 14
Newtown Strikers vs Corio Red 2-6
Despite a 6-2 loss to Corio Red, the Newtown Strikers put in a fantastic performance, showing great hunger, determination, and team spirit across the field.
After a slow start, the team lifted in the second half to score two well-earned goals from set plays. Jack F and Sidak found the back of the net, capitalising on strong attacking opportunities.Albie had a standout game in goals, making several crucial saves and keeping the Strikers in the contest with his composure under pressure. Alexandra was rock-solid in her role all day, providing a reliable target in transition and linking well with teammates. She was supported by Mitch and Jack P, who worked tirelessly across the field to create opportunities and defend strongly. Defensively, Eva, Lucas, Eliza, Emily, and Lily were dependable and composed, repelling numerous Corio attacks with grit and excellent teamwork.
In the midfield, Alex, Chelsea, and Eliza ran hard all game—covering ground, applying pressure, and driving the team forward with energy and intent.
Although the result didn’t go their way, the Strikers can be proud of a resilient, team-first performance that showed real growth and commitment.
Under 16
Newtown Strikers vs Corio Red 6-13
Round 13 had the U16 playing on a Saturday rather than the usual Sunday against Corio Red. And for the first time this season we welcomed Winter to the team – great to have you on the pitch for Newtown, Winter!
As we’ve seen all year Corio got off to a strong start and were quickly on the scoreboard with the first three goals. Parker made their chances harder with good pressure, and just before the end of the first quarter a Newtown penalty 1v1 resulted in a goal for Oliver.
Our best quarter of the game was the second – with Kayden making some great saves (including a penalty 1v1!) and Oliver scoring another two goals. Parker joined the party and scored his first goal, followed by a Sidak and Jack team effort that resulted in a goal for Jack. The Strikers had won the quarter – 4 goals to 3!
Things continued well for Newtown at the start of the third, with Jess working hard to create opportunities and another goal from Oliver in a penalty 1v1. Despite strong defense from Winter, Cormac and Liz, Corio responded with four unanswered goals leaving the score at 6-11 at three quarter time.
Whilst not scoring any goals in the last, the Strikers put up a strong fight and made it hard for Corio. Kayden continued to make great saves, Cormac cleared the ball out of their D whenever he had the chance, and Jack made some nice passes into our D to create chances. Newtown had three more chances to score from penalty 1v1s that all went unlucky, but Corio were only able to add two more goals to their score. The final score: 6-13.
Division 1 Women
Newtown Falcons vs Torquay 0-5
Although it wasn’t a win for Newtown, under challenging conditions Falcons kept Torquay to a respectable scoreline, especially considering that Torquay have regularly been winning by 8 to 10 goals this season. The team tested out a new playing structure which took a little while to gel and this was where Torquay scored the majority of their goals.
It was nice to have Maggie W jet in for a guest appearance, looking just as fit and fast as ever!
There were a lot of positives to take away from the game. Well done everyone!
Division 2 Men
Newtown Falcons vs Corio 5-1
An overcast Sunday game saw Newtown’s Men take on a youthful looking Corio, and with a fast start, the mighty Maroons came away with a 5-1 win, making it two in a row and perhaps a sign of some end of season form. Having extra players on the bench made for a welcome sight as the veterans of our side relished the opportunity for a mid-game rest. The Hinett father-son duo was dangerous up forward with plenty of chances created, including an incredible Adham tomahawk from the baseline that hit the post. Young Parker showed his speed was too much for the opposition to handle, with blistering pace cutting in behind for a well-deserved goal. Tom P was everywhere, scoring two goals in an endorsement for the fitness component of field hockey. Dave and Adam were a wall in defence, with the only goal allowed being from highly skilled Corio passing. AJ also put one in the net, and combined with Ian, formed an excellent attack with Gavin on the wing. Tom McD and Mick B anchored the half-line brilliantly, with solid tackles and great width.
Now is the time to RSVP to our presentation night and stay healthy in the run to finals.
Division 2 Women
Newtown Strikers vsGeelong Jaguars 3-5
Newtown Strikers faced Geelong again for the third time looking for a third win. However this was a much stronger and more experienced (and faster!) Geelong team which took the field. Strikers’ defence was put under pressure in the early part of the game, but handled it well, with Kayla and Kirsty in good position to delay the Geelong attack. Tash, Ricky and Andie worked hard to mark opponents and cut off avenues to goal, but Geelong’s speed saw them get past the defence and put the first goal on the board.
A second goal followed not long after when play continued despite Kirsty being on the receiving end of a heavy colllision which forced her from the field and prevented her from taking any further part in the game.
Strikers ‘never say die’ attitude came to the fore with Ivy, Jess and Tilly showing great speed and ball control to move the ball into attack and create scoring chances. Good co-operation with team mates from Lara, Peta, Kristy and Gemma, well supported by Benno in both midfield and forward roles saw Strikers threaten time and again.
Goals to Tilly (2) and a lovely goal from Ivy on a short corner.
The game ended on a very wet note, with a heavy downpour in the last 2 minutes of the game!
