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Benalla, AU

November 6, 2024

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Sport

Gallery: Victoria off to a flyer as Hockey Australia Country Championships get under way

By Aydin Payne

Aug 7, 2023

Duking it out: Australian Defence Forces' Matthew Robinson jostles with Victoria talent and Echuca-Moama product Jayden Gulson. Photo by Megan Fisher

Victoria has raced away to a bright start in the men’s draw following the opening two days of the Hockey Australia Country Championships.

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Shepparton has witnessed a bumper schedule of action since the national event kicked off on Saturday morning at the city’s hockey centre.

Victoria’s men’s outfit sits atop of the group with two wins, before its third match of the tournament on Monday evening, against fellow unbeaten side Queensland.

Led by experienced captain Cale Rout, Victoria has been one of the most clinical sides in the early stages of the championships with 6-0 and 7-0 wins over Australian Defence Forces and South Australia respectively.

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Passing with precision: Australian Defence Force's Zac Simpson. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Sheppresent: Australian Defence Force's Douglas Shephard. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Get around him: Victoria's Brayden Caldow and Hudson Erskine celebrate a goal. Photo by Megan Fisher

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On the move: Victoria's Ethan Anderson. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Eyes on the ball: Australian Defence Force's Matthew Hurrell and Victoria's Declan Anderson. Photo by Megan Fisher

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In control: Australian Defence Force's Matt Langsdorf. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Whip it in: Victoria's Lachlan Hansford. Photo by Megan Fisher

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In traffic: Victoria's Noah Erdeljac gets a pass away despite pressure from Australian Defence Force's Matt Langsdorf. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Making waves: Former Echuca-Moama junior Jayden Gulson representing Victoria. Photo by Megan Fisher

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Focused: Australian Defence Force's Mitchell Ivory. Photo by Megan Fisher

In the women’s draw, Victoria exited day two with a 1-1 record.

The women began their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to ADF on Saturday, which was followed by an impressive 4-1 triumph over SA.

NSW is looking the team to beat following a classy 9-0 defeat over Western Australia on day one.

Looking forward, the tournament has multiple days of group matches to go before a rest day on Thursday is followed by finals action.

In the women’s schedule, ADF takes on SA (11.45am), followed by NSW and Queensland (3.15pm) and WA is up against Victoria in the evening (6.45pm).

The men’s schedule for Tuesday is ADF taking on SA at 10am, followed by NSW against QLD (1.30pm) and WA will meet Victoria at 5pm.

By Aydin Payne

Sports Editor

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