Three Kookaburras set to represent Australia at the upcoming Commonwealth Games headline a strong 2022 Perth Thundersticks men’s squad that seeks to impress at the upcoming Sultana Bran Hockey One League season.Jake Harvie, Tom Wickham and Aran Zalewski will all don the white, black and gold for the Thundersticks in the league’s second iteration, with a plethora of young talent and seasoned veterans set to drive the side to success – including Kookaburras’ James Collins and Ben Rennie.“We have such a strong talent base here in WA, with seasoned veterans and an exciting bunch of juniors,” Perth Thundersticks men’s coach David Guest says.“The whole selection experience brought such excitement to myself and those involved in the Thundersticks program – we’re going to have a really strong group of players that we hope will be able to compete well against all sides in the competition.” Guest says that with the squad selected, sports fans can expect to see high-energy hockey – a result of a sound defensive system. “We are going to build a system with sound defence, with an attacking play-style to be built from that, which should be an exciting spectacle for fans,” Guest says. “Selection was more about how each individual played their positions and fit the Thundersticks’ game and planning – it’s a bonus that we have some real star power in this year’s squad.“I truly think that this side, if playing its best hockey, can go deep into this tournament.” After a two-year hiatus for the league due to COVID-19, fans can expect to see hockey at its finest, featuring some of the world’s best hockey talent. “I’m really excited to be back involved with elite hockey again,” Guest says.“The Hockey One League is fantastic for the sport across Australia – it’s going to be a great tournament, featuring some of the world’s best hockey players.“I know the players are stoked to head back onto the field in a top-flight national league, so I know fans will be in for a treat when the season commences.”The Perth Thundersticks are set to open their season in a double-header men’s and women’s clash against the Adelaide Fire on Saturday October 1 at Perth Hockey Stadium – memberships for the Perth Thundersticks are on sale now.
The Perth Thundersticks squads have been selected based from form over the Ric Charlesworth Classic and Premier League season, with the squad remaining fluid and altered based on form and attitude in the Premier League and Hockey Australia Under-21s National Championships. Selectors will formally review the squad immediately following the Under-21s National Championships.
2022 Perth Thundersticks Men’s Squad
| PLAYER | CLUB |
| Will Battistessa | Victoria Park |
| Chris Bausor | UWA |
| Matt Bird | Fremantle Cockburn |
| Will Byas | Westside Wolves |
| Josh Bowen | Hale |
| James Collins | Victoria Park |
| Bryn De Bes | WASPs |
| Matthew Fisher | UWA |
| Liam Flynn | Hale |
| Brodee Foster | Reds |
| Cam Geddes | UWA |
| Tim Geers | Melville |
| Brandon Gibbs | WASPs |
| Harry Golding | UWA |
| Ross Hall | Melville |
| Jake Harvie | Westside Wolves |
| Tom Harvie | Westside Wolves |
| Dominic Hird | Victoria Park |
| Brayden King | Hale |
| Matt Lewis | Hale |
| Tyler Lovell | YMCC |
| George McGeoch | Westside Wolves |
| Trent Mitton | WASPs |
| Alistair Murray | Westside Wolves |
| Daniel Rayney | WASPs |
| Ben Rennie | Fremantle Cockburn |
| Marshall Roberts | YMCC |
| Christian Starkie | UWA |
| Ben Taylor | Victoria Park |
| Sasha Thomas | Victoria Park |
| Daniel Timms | UWA |
| Matt Willis | Melville |
| Tom Wickham | UWA |
| Aran Zalewski | Reds |