The Sydney Hockey Association grand final became another local derby for rival Illawarra clubs Albion Park and University, with players from both sides pitted against each other.
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Sutherland had Park players in former Kookaburra Kieran Govers, captain Jack Hayes, Brady Anderson, Christian Halyard and goalkeeper Nathan Ackroyd.
Moorebank had University players in current Kookaburra Tristan White, Heath Ogilvie, Nick Jennings, Ryan Proctor and former Students Kurt Ogilvie and Simon Beaton.
The game started at a cracking pace when Govers put Sutherland ahead in the 15th minute when he scored from a penalty corner.
Moorebank leveled the scores 10 minutes later when Nathan Stewart replied with a penalty before Sutherland responded through Matty Bennett to take a 2-1 lead into the break.
Moorebank leveled up through Stewart after the resumption before Bennett sealed the game with his second goal for a 3-2 win.
Moorebank's White said it was a shattering loss for his team, having won last year.
“We were in a good position early in the second half and had chances to seal the game, which we didn't capitalise on,” White, who was last week named the Sydney hockey player of the second straight year, said.
“Sutherland then fought back well and took the win in the end. If you want to win big games you need to take and execute in the key moments.
White, Govers and Hayes will now travel to Perth with the NSW team for the Australian national league starting on Thursday.
