Ephraums triple lifts Melbourne to Hockey One title
Kookaburras forward Nathan Ephraums has broken the hearts of Canberra Chill, scoring three goals to lift HC Melbourne to a 5-2 win in the Hockey One men’s grand final.
Melbourne shot out to a 3-0 lead early in the third quarter of Sunday’s grand final in Hobart on the back of Ephraums’ triple.
Canberra hit back to make it 3-2 with one term to play.
But goals to Brad Marais and Connar Otterbach in the final term iced the win for Melbourne.
“It’s been a while in between drinks for us,” Melbourne goalkeeper Johan Durst told the Seven Network.
“We had some success in 2016/17 (in the Australian Hockey League as the Vic Vikings) and then the new and younger group (were) coming through.
“It’s just so special to see these guys on their journey developing, aspiring for national teams.
“Winning a title is very difficult. It’s just a tremendous memory.
“Finals can be pretty cagey matches.
“We spoke a lot about playing our brand of hockey, attacking, taking it on and being fearless out there, and I think we did that.”
The closest the Canberra men’s hockey team had ever previously come to title success was in 1998, when the Canberra Lakers lost to the Melbourne Redbacks in the AHL final.
The Chill finished last on the ladder in 2023.
But destiny appeared to be on Canberra’s side this year after being crowned minor premiers before scoring inside the last five seconds of Saturday’s semi-final to beat the Brisbane Blaze 3-2.
But Ephraums’ star display on Sunday proved the difference.
Melbourne had five circle entries to two in a scoreless first quarter, but both sides were restricted to just one shot each.
It took just 19 seconds into the second term for Melbourne to open the scoring, with Ephraums nailing his strike from close range.
A green card to midfielder Brad Marais halted Melbourne’s momentum, with Canberra twice going close to scoring – only to be denied by goalkeeper Durst.
Ephraums provided the highlight of the match early in the third quarter when he powered home a strike while falling over.
That made it 2-0, and when Ephraums nailed his conversion – when a player is pitted one-on-one against the goalkeeper after a goal – the scoreline read 3-0.
Canberra’s Jesse Absolom revived his team’s hopes midway through the third quarter, winning a penalty after being bowled over in the circle.
Ben Staines scored from the penalty spot, and Absolom held his nerve to nail the conversion to make it 3-2.
But when Otterbach surged past two defenders to thrash home a strike with six minutes remaining, it gave Melbourne the breathing space they needed to seal victory.
In the men’s bronze medal match, Brisbane beat Perth 4-3.
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