Mainfreight Match of the Day Daily Wrap: Hockey

Day four of the Mainfreight Match of the Day at the 2026 UniSport Nationals took place on the Superturf at UWA Hockey Club, featuring a semi-final and a repechage showdown. 

The men’s semi-final was between Curtin University and defending champions The University of Melbourne, followed by the women’s Repechage 1 clash between The University of Sydney (USYD) and Curtin University. 

With live coverage produced by Edith Cowan University (ECU) media and journalism students, the games also marked Australia’s first trial of VAR at a non-international hockey match.

Kristen Britz, Competition Manager of Hockey, explained that organisers were using the live stream to trial video referrals, known as VAR in other sports. Each team received one referral, giving umpires an additional tool to review key decisions. The trial could help inform how video referrals are used in hockey across Australia and at future UniSport events. 

The men’s semi-final between Curtin University and 2025 champions The University of Melbourne was set to be a closely contested match, with both teams entering the game unbeaten. Curtin had won all their matches leading into the semi-final, while Melbourne had recorded two draws alongside their wins. 

With Curtin and Melbourne fans filling the stands, the atmosphere was lively ahead of the tense semi-final.  

The game began with a measured approach from both teams, as they moved the ball between their lines during the opening five minutes. While both sides showed attacking intent, Curtin secured the first goal of the game from a short corner, scored by Curtin captain Jack Cudby to make it his fifth goal at UniSport Nationals. 

In the second quarter, Curtin maintained momentum and controlled the game, with their defence shutting down any threat from Melbourne. Curtin went into half-time with a 1-0 lead. 

In the third quarter, Melbourne increased the pressure, creating more attacking opportunities and pushing a high press while also earning their first short corner. However, Curtin’s goalkeeper responded with several important saves to keep Melbourne at bay. 

Curtin then extended their lead to 2-0 heading into the final quarter, with the ECU commentary team noting that Melbourne had little time to turn the game around and needed to make their move to keep their hopes alive. 

And they did just that, setting up a dramatic final quarter. 

Melbourne needed a strong attacking response, and a short corner offered an opportunity to get back into the game. With Curtin still leading, they removed their goalkeeper and brought on an extra outfield player to strengthen their attack. 

With just 2 minutes and 50 seconds remaining, Melbourne scored their first goal to get on the scoreboard. Curtin returned to full defence, but Melbourne continued to apply pressure and soon found the equaliser, making it 2-2 with just two minutes left on the clock. 

With the scores level, a penalty shoot-out looked increasingly likely to decide who would reach the final. But with just 30 seconds remaining, Curtin won a short corner, sending the crowd into a frenzy. 

The moment prompted the first use of the video referral system. After review, the original decision stood, with insufficient evidence to overturn the call. Curtin won another short corner and requested a second referral, but again, there was insufficient evidence to provide a different decision. 

With a third short corner in the final moments, Curtin held their nerve to score just after the siren, sealing a 3-2 victory and booking their place in the Gold Medal Match against RMIT University. 

The ECU commentary team reflected on the thrilling finish, noting that the game could have gone either way. They praised both teams for putting on a stellar performance, while highlighting Curtin’s final penalty corner as the standout moment of the match. 

Curtin coach Jack Kruger said his side had started strongly but was tested by Melbourne’s response after half-time. He acknowledged that Melbourne’s full-court press had unsettled Curtin but was pleased with how his players responded as the pressure mounted.  

Jack also welcomed the use of video referrals, particularly the opportunity for both teams to challenge decisions. He said the footage made it easier for officials to assess close calls, including the final overhead. Looking ahead to the Gold Medal Match, he was confident in Curtin’s approach, declaring, “Tomorrow we go hard again.” 

The women’s Repechage 1 between Curtin and USYD promised an interesting contest, with USYD entering in strong form after four wins and just one loss, while Curtin looked to build momentum after a mixed campaign of two wins, three draws and one loss. 

After a slower start for both teams, USYD got the first goal with five and a half minutes remaining in the first quarter, with Curtin needing to respond quickly to prevent Sydney from building momentum. 

Sydney then earned a short corner and made the opportunity count, with USYD captain Darcy Babbage and #16 Eloise Trueman combining for a goal that put Sydney 2-0 ahead. 

USYD held firm in defence, preventing Curtin from breaking through and creating clear attacking opportunities. 

The second quarter was a tighter contest, with Curtin applying more pressure as they looked to get back into the game. However, USYD held firm defensively to maintain their 2-0 lead heading into half-time. 

In the third quarter, USYD extended their lead to 3-0 to keep Curtin on the back foot, with Curtin yet to create a clear attacking opportunity. 

The ECU commentary team noted that Curtin needed to get the basics right to stage a comeback in the final quarter. Curtin came out with renewed energy after the whistle, launching a quick attack that caught Sydney off guard. However, USYD quickly regrouped and intercepted the run before they could create a scoring opportunity. 

With the pressure on, Curtin had several opportunities to get on the scoreboard but couldn’t convert them. 

The fourth quarter saw another use of VAR after USYD was awarded a penalty corner and Curtin requested a review. The original decision stood, with Curtin losing their referral. 

Sydney earned another penalty corner and converted with just 51 seconds remaining, extending their lead to 4-0 and securing their place in the semi-finals against Western Sydney University. The ECU commentary team gave full credit to Sydney for their performance, highlighting the strength of their attack and defence across the field. 

Speaking to ECU after the game, USYD captain Darcy Babbage said of the win, “I’m so excited, it was a fantastic game. The girls played really well, so I’m looking forward to finals.”

With the VAR system used three times throughout the day, Competition Manager of Hockey Kristen Britz said the trial provided an opportunity to test how UniSport’s existing live-stream technology could support video referrals and help officials reach the correct decision on the field. 

Looking ahead to the future of university hockey, Kristen said the trial had demonstrated what was possible with the technology, explaining that, “What we’ve done today is a trial and we’ve proved that we can use the cameras and the technology that UniSport use for their large events, to use VAR in other sports or video referral in hockey to help us get rid of the clangers and have everyone have the fair outcome for the day.” 

The Hockey Mainfreight Match of the Day is available for replay on UniSportTV.    

Mainfreight Match of the Day continues with Football on Friday 02 October at UWA Sports Park, for the final day of UniSport Nationals 2026.   

Big Games. Big Crowds. Big Energy. Watch Mainfreight Match of the Day LIVE and FREE on UniSportTV. 

2026 Mainfreight Match of the Day Fixtures