HOCKEY
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NSW teams stacked with Illawarra talent are in the box seat as the national indoor championships continue at Unanderra today.
The men's side, led by Uni pair Simon Beaton and Heath Ogilvie, sit at the top of the tournament ahead of the finals that begin today.
Ogilvie produced three goals in NSW's round one 7-0 thrashing of Tasmania on Thursday, with Beaton adding one.
The pair combined for all of NSW's goals in a 6-5 victory over ACT in the second pool game, with Beaton notching four and Ogilvie two.
NSW backed up with a 5-0 win over Western Australia yesterday and will now face Victoria and a winless Queensland team en route to the finals.
"We had a really close win over ACT yesterday [Thursday]," Ogilvie said.
"It was the toughest game we've had, it was close the whole way.
"We played them in the final last year and they've been top three for the last five years so we expected them to be tough.
"The WA game was probably a bit better than we expected but they missed a few chances."
Ogilvie said getting the early jump on their main rivals gave NSW a favourable semi-final draw should they beat Victoria and Queensland in their remaining pool matches.
"If it stays how it is WA and ACT will play each other in the semi-final and we'll play fourth place so that's what we want.
"ACT are probably slight favourites but either one could win that semi."
Illawarra players also starred for the unbeaten NSW women's team.
Emma McLeish, Kyah Gray and Clare Riek all scored goals in NSW's 5-3 win over Queensland on Thursday.
Riek backed up with three more goals in a 6-1 thrashing of Western Australia.
Gray produced a further two with McLeish and Riek adding one each in a 6-0 thumping of South Australia.
NSW face ACT ahead of a crunch match with an unbeaten Victorian side before the finals.