Commercial's Joel Torrisi puts the pressure on Labrador's Ryan Holding.
Photo by Fred Husted.

Labrador's Brent Livermore's tries to squeeze down the sideline despite
pressure from Commercial fullback Adam Bary. Photo by Fred Husted.

Commercial players celebrate their first goal of the grand final. Photo by
Fred Husted.

Cobras striker Daniel Beale flicks the ball over the stick of Tigerstix tackler
Ryan Holding. Photo by Fred Husted.

BRISBANE HOCKEY LEAGUE – Grand Final

Commercial 3 (David Brain, Kris Glass, Adam Barry) defeated Labrador 1 (Mark Harris) at the State Hockey Centre, Colmslie.

Two early goals set the Commercial Cobras on the path to their sixth-straight premiership, stinging grand final first timers Labrador. It took the Cobras less than 15 minutes to establish a match-winning lead against a side seeking to become the first team since Norths in 1984 to taste grand final glory after having started the playoffs as the lowest ranked team. While Labrador's forwards started the match confidently, their backs were guilty of some wayward passing that gifted the Cobras good field position. After Commercial's defence weathered some early Tigerstix pressure, David Brain scored from the Cobras' first penalty corner in the 10th minute, sending an unstoppable drag flick over the head of goalkeeper Matt Woods. The Cobras doubled their lead just four minutes later by capitalising on a Tigerstix turnover. A misguided back pass forced Labrador's Luke Tyne to dive and try desperately to clear the ball, and avert the danger deep in Tigerstix territory. But the teenager was unable to hit the ball beyond Kris Glass perched on the top of the circle, with the halfback sending a shot into the corner of the net. Commercial goalkeeper Stephen Green was soon called into action, making some key saves to repel shots from Michael Bates and Joe Reardon.  Labrador's last scoring chance of the first half saw Bates have his shot smothered, after Tyne and Kyle Gildea instigated an impressive attacking movement from their own half. Only the goal post came between Commercial and a three-goal halftime lead, with another drag flick from Brain sending the ball past Woods, but hitting the upright, just before the interval. Soon after halftime Bates had another tomahawk shot saved by his former Easts teammate Green, before Craig Bigham became the fourth Labrador player to receive a green card and spend time on the sideline. When fullback Adam Barry powered a penalty corner shot off the pads of Woods and into goal nine minutes after the break, Commercial led 3-0 and looked set to register a big score against a team that had won three straight sudden death clashes to reach their first Brisbane grand final. However, Labrador refused to submit, peppering the Commercial goal with shots. Cobras midfielder Tom Brough saved Reardon's shot on the line, while Green denied Mark Harris. Harris finally beat the Commercial goalkeeper with nine minutes remaining, deflecting a penalty corner shot over the impressive shot stopper. But when the Gold Coast outfit was unable to convert a penalty corner play with three minutes remaining in the contest, their hopes of a miraculous comeback were dashed. Capping Commercial's victory celebrations, Glass won the Hec Cormie Medal, awarded to the player of the final  – Lee Oliver.

Labrador forward Andrew Ward on the attack, shadowed by Cobras defender
Leighton Stock. Photo by Fred Husted.

Tigerstix goalkeeper Matt Woods and fullback Kane Hancock watch a Cobras
shot fly wide of the net. Photo by Fred Husted.

Kane Hancock attempts a tackle on Commercial's Dean Rawding. Photo by
Fred Husted.

Mark Harris on the run for Labrador. Photo by Fred Husted.

Matt Lagerroth advances the ball upfield for Commercial. Photo by Fred Husted.

Compiled by Lee Oliver. 

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