NEWCASTLE pair Ky Willott and Mariah Williams are both expected to return for the Hockey One finals weekend as NSW Pride attempt to defend national titles.
The Australian representatives should come back into strengthened state squads, men's and women's respectively, after missing last-round fixtures.
NSW now have back-to-back semis scheduled on Saturday with the men's unbeaten leaders tackling Tassie Tigers (12:30pm) before the second-ranked women face hosts Canberra Chill (2:30pm).
Brisbane Blaze also qualified for dual semis while Perth (women) and HC Melbourne (men) complete the 2023 contenders. Winners from each match progress to deciders on Sunday.
NSW men's duo Nathan Czinner (Souths) and Michael Taylor (Gosford) will likely be sidelined for Hockey One showdowns this weekend ahead of duties at the Junior World Cup in Malaysia.
Ryan Woolnough (Norths) and Estelle Hughes (Regals) are part of the Pride playing groups.
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
