Drifters first defeated Taralga Tigers to advance to the grand final.

Taralga Tigers then lost to Taralga 1. It took two hours to get a winner. The teams played 10 minutes’ extra time and golden goal with no result; then a further five minutes’ extra time with the drop-off rule playing with nine players; and a further five minutes with the drop-off rule down to seven players and still no result.

The teams now went to a shootout with five players, each team taking shots at the defended goal. They were still locked up and were forced into a second shootout with golden goal to break the deadlock.

Finally, Taralga 1 broke free, going one-up in an awesome game.

Saturday’s men’s first grade grand final is between the cool, calm Fireflys and the young gun Drifters. 

Fireflys came from behind to defeat Drifters in the major semi final, proving they are in great form for this weekend.

Both teams will be boosted by the participation of the Goulburn Capital League players who have a bye in that contest.

In Drifters, Dean Evans, Jake and Ben Staines, to mention a few; and for Fireflys, Aaron Kershaw, Scott Grant and Kurt Devlin are game-breakers. 

Kershaw has had a stellar season and will bring this form into the grand final. 

Evans has been solid all year both in Capital League and with Drifters.

These teams are very quick from end to end and are lethal on short corners.

Curtis Wilkinson

Goalkeeper

A new edition to the team this year, due to Shaun Anable being injured. He has slotted in nicely and will be out to keep a clean sheet on Saturday. A very capable keeper.

Andrew Kemp

Full back

Another new edition to the team this year and has slotted In well. Very safe and composed at the back also a very strong tackler.

Aaron Kershaw

Fullback

One of the key players in this team. He is one of the best defenders in the competition, a very strong tackler and great at long passes from free hits. He also is our go to man on penalty corners with his electric drag flicks. 

Steve Downey

Centre half

Another of our strong players, very strong and composed in the the middle for us and has been on the big stage for a long time. With that he brings a lot experience to the team. He bleeds red and white.

Scott Grant (c)

Inside forward / half

The talker and motivator of the team. He loves getting the boys pumped up for the big games. He also loves the big stage and will be out to lead the boys from the top this weekend. 

Jake Humphries

Inside forward

The workhorse of the team. He does the big yards in the middle for us in defence and attack. He a very quick and skillful player and will be looking to get on the score sheet this weekend. 

Kurt Devlin

Outside half

A very strong and skillful defender, quick to turn defence into attack. He Is our go to man coming out of defence and a very passionate player, wearing his heart on his sleeve. 

Damon Deaton

Outside half

A strong defender and Is also quick to turn attack into defence. Also has a great work rate and will be out for a big game this Saturday. 

Peter Alchin

Wing

One of our most consistent players in the team. He does a lot of running and always works back and helps out in defence, when times are tough. Will be out to put a few past the Drifters keeper on Saturday. 

Jamie McPherson

Wing 

Back for another stint with the red and whites after a short let up, He does a lot of leading around up front and is great at creating space. Great at finding the back of the net and will hopefully be out to continue this in the grand final. 

Todd Unicomb

Centre forward

One very quick and skillful player, great at leading into space. He is always a handful to defend against, with his speed and great circle penetration. He is also a great finisher. 

Matt Scott

Wing / half

Mr versatile, can play him in a number of positions and he will always gives 100 per cent. He loves playing for the red and white and will be out for a big game this Saturday. 

Brady Deaton

Half / fullback

One of the young guns in the team. He is a very strong defender and is very hard to get past. Will be out to keep this going on the weekend. 

Lachlan Norberg

Half / forward

Another of our young guns in the team. He can play just about any position and will always give 100 per cent. A very skillful player, who Is growing in confidence. 

Tom Thorne

Wing

The speedster in the team, great at leading into space with his lightning speed. Another of the player that has huge work rate and always works back in defence. He will be looking to get on the score sheet this weekend too. 

Ben Staines: Age: 19

Position: Centre half

Ben is our little general, Mr consistent and covers everything in the middle.

Jake Staines: Age: 19

Position: Inner

Jake has a tonne of skill and pace with a never say die attitude. He knows how to find the net.

Chester Garbert: Age: 43

Position: Goalkeeper

Needs his glasses these days, but still does a great job, fearlessly stopping goals.

Tom Croker: Age: 21

Position: Wing / Centre forward

Tom has a bit more size about him these days and likes to terrorise the opposition’s backs.

Carson Woolner: Age: 20

Position: Wing / Half

Carson is our Mr versatility. He covers many positions and gets the job done.

Addison Gann: Age: 23

Position: Half / Inner / Centre forward

Addison is a freakish talent and is dangerous at any position he play's. He has I high work load and is a player to lookout for.

Stefan Hese: Age: 28

Position: Half

Stefan has a high work rate in attack and defence, he is as reliable as ever.

James Hanger: Age: 35

Position: Fullback

James is a welcome addition to the team this year. He is rock solid in defence and a good organiser from the back.

Lachlan Lewis: Age: 18

Position: Wing / Inner / Centre forward

Lachlan can play anywhere in the forwards and has a habit of popping up in the right spot to find the net.

Sam Elliott: Age: 21

Position: Fullback

Sam is a great defender with a never say die attitude and occasionally likes to show the forwards how it's done!

Lachlan Parrotte: Age: 18

Position: Wing

Lachlan has stepped up this year with some great results. He has a hard work ethic and gives his all.

Dean Evans: Age: 23

Position: Inner

Dean has plenty of speed to burn and skill to match, plus the right amount of attitude to get the job done.

Aaron Skelly: Age :18

Position: Wing

Aaron has also stepped up this year and has done everything that's asked of him. He is one of our most improved this year.

Michael Montgomery: Age 25

Position: Wing/Inner/Centre forward

Speedy and sneaky and knows how to find the net from anywhere in the circle.

Ben Elliott: Age: 18

Position: half

Ben has had a great year, but unfortunately is unable to play. He broke his thumb in the first major semi and it required surgery. He is a great defender and also likes a run up front to stick to his fellow forwards!

Jeremy Small: Age: Unknown

Coach

Adam Skelly: Age: Unknown

Manager

Sam White  (Keeper) Age: 25

After a late call up in round 2-3 Sam has played every game since, she has proven herself time and time again. Sam will be looking to keep a clean sheet and will be talking to her defence throughout the whole game. A very consistent keeper.

Emma Price ( Defence) Age: 22

Emma has played every game in the 2016 season and has shown the younger girls how to play with controlled aggression. She will be busy at the back, as Taralga will be attacking the defence as much as they can. Emma’s tackling has made it very hard for the opposition to make it into the circle this year. Great year with one game to go.

Sam Picker ( Midfield / Defence) Age: 18

U18s ACT representative this year and has played better and better every game, the first Semi-final she was the best player on the field. Sam loves the pressure of big games and will be looking to attack as much as possible as well as cleaning up in defence. A key player.

Renae Robinson (Half / Midfield / Defence) Age: 17

U18s ACT representative this year, also CHS NSWs so it’s been a great year for Renae. A great player to have on your team, as she will run all day and at speed. Watch for her in attack as she makes it look easy but with lethal speed and then make it back to defend. She is very determined and has had a great year and will be probably the busiest player on the field, 120 per cent of the time.

Sarah Basterfield (Utility player) Age: 20

A great team player and is always able to be moved into any position on the field. Played for Goulburn this year in the State Championships and was also injured at that competition. She has become increasingly consistent and wants a win on Saturday. Sarah will run until there is nothing left in the tank. A team player who will do what she can, when she can, for the team.

Sassie Economos (Centre Midfield) Age: 22

Aust Indoor, AHL- ACT, U21s ACT and probably heaps more teams we don’t know about, First year in Goulburn hockey and has shown how good a player she is, by guiding the girls around the field. Will run all day and put Taralga under immense pressure at the back. She is the leading goal scorer this year and is deadly on short corners. The one to watch.

Chloe Montgomery (Attacking Midfield) Captain  Age: 21

U21s ACT representative this year and plays for Goulburn in the Capital League, Chloe has had a good year and steers the team around very well. She will be leading from the front and will prove to be a whole lot of trouble, for the Taralga defence throughout the game. Chloe will be looking to control the game and let her skill shine through. Captain Chloe going for two from two.

Aleisha Price (Attacking Midfield) Age: 17 just

U18s, U21s ACT representative this year and will be looking to show her speed and skill in and around the circle. A young player with plenty of experience and will take control in the tight situations, keep a close eye on her around the goal when there is a short corner as she will be very busy organising the girls. Looking for a big game in the grand final.

Mikayla Evens (All-out Attack) Age: 19

Out nearly all year with an injury and has now been back for four weeks, her fitness is nearly back to her best and she is a prolific goal scorer. Mik will be looking for any small opportunity inside the circle to smash the ball into the net. Watch for her attack in defence, always putting pressure on and looking for the loose ball. Back her to score at least 1-2 goals

Angela Albrighton (Attack- Midfield) Age: 19

First year with Drifters and has shown to be very consistent throughout the season.She can be very hard on herself, but has put in a tonne of effort every game this year. Angela will be working hard up front early in the game then move back into the mid-field later in the game. Hoping for a first up grand final win

Bec Picker (Utility Player) Age: 16

Bec is another girl that you would love to have in your team, she will play anywhere, including keeper in the first round. The youngest player in the Drifter’s side and you wouldn’t know it as she plays hard and fast, with plenty of confidence.  Our young gun.

Emma McColl (Defence) Age: 20

Emma has played consistently all year and is another. she has been there for every game this year and is looking more confident in her defence. She is always keen to attack when possible. Emma will have a job to do on the day and will be flat out in her defensive efforts. Attitude to win.

Laura Painter (Attack) Age: 23

Another player to play every game, Laura was injured towards the end of the semi final but should be fit and ready to play on grand final day. Laura has had a good year and has played well considering she has been away from hockey for a few years. She will be looking to sneak one in past the keeper and top of a good year. Will try her heart out.

Kira Bladwell (Defence) Age: 21

Back from holidays and starting to play like she was before she headed overseas, Kira will do as she is asked and do it well. She is a great team player and has enjoyed her year in the top grade, she will be using her long reach to stop anything that comes her way. Effort plus.

Ash Basterfield (Utility player) Age: 23

Scored a goal in the semi final and will be trying her best to get a grand final goal, she is a pocket rocket and has plenty of speed to burn. She has shown a high level of determination in every game she has played this year.  A very determined player, that will move around the field.

Jamie McLaghin (Substitute player)  Age: 18

Jamie has filled in for first grade plenty of times this year and has a few goals to her name. She will jump at the chance, if needed in the grand final. A quiet and hard working player.

Kate Reid (Substitute player) Age: 18

Kate has shown this year how well she can play, called up for the semi final and had her best game for the year. She has got speed to burn.

 Donna Price (Manager)  Age: unknown

Every team needs a good manager and Donna has proven this year that she is. She is like a second mother to the girls. Always messaging them and needing stuff from them all the time but they love it.

Ben Price  (Coach)  Age: unknown

Drifters Hockey Club, sponsors and supporters Thanks for a great year.