A suspected serious knee injury to Hockeyroos defender Kobie McGurk (AIS-WAIS) rubbed salt in the wounds of WA's 3-0 loss to Queensland in the AHL bronze medal playoff at Perth Hockey Stadium on the weekend.

The Diamonds were threatening in a push forward and had earned a penalty corner when McGurk fell to the pitch in the ensuing chaos. The two-time Olympian was in obvious pain as she hobbled off the pitch, unable to put any weight on her right knee, and was immediately taken down the race, not returning.

It was an injury that further cruelled the Diamonds' day as, even in spite of a heroic performance by goalkeeper Kate Hubble, they fell to perennial foe the Scorchers. Queensland and WA have a long stretching rivalry in the AHL, with five of the Diamonds' six titles coming from wins over the Scorchers, but under a searing sun that had the game end with the day's 32 degree maximum still beating down, Queensland turned the tables.

The loss of McGurk had an immediate effect on WA and, after being dominant for 10 minutes, the Diamonds found themselves suddenly under siege.

Queensland pushed repeatedly into WA's arc and brought up corner after corner. Kate Denning was courageous in her sprints to meet the battery and WA keeper Kate Hubble made some tremendous saves, but something had to give and, with just minutes remaining in the first half, it did. Scorchers striker Jodie Schultz connected sweetly off a penalty corner, with Tegan Holcroft having the final say in a congested area, sending a shot sailing just out of reach over the sprawled Hubble.

The Diamonds returned after the break with gusto, but the Scorchers refused to relent. Their structures held firm in the neutral zone and proved near impenetrable for the WA forwards, while their own attackers surged. Hubble was forced into a dive right; making a remarkable save to the body, but Schulz was again a catalyst and had notched QLD's second within minutes of the second half with a converted stroke to the top left corner.

It proved critical for WA, particularly in the searing heat, with the Diamonds appearing spent and, when Katelin Marks scored again with a little more than three minutes remaining, the Scorchers were able to see out the game comfortably.

The 2012 women’s AHL title went to the Victorian Vipers who recorded a resounding 5-1 win over rivals NSW. Goals to Claire Messent, Steph Riordan, Sam Ellis, Danielle Schubach and an own goal ensured it was only ever going to be a win for the Victorians.

- Hockey Australia