WARRNAMBOOL hockey star Madi Ratcliffe is making the most of a revamped state competition in the inaugural Hockey One League.
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The 22-year-old, who stepped away from her international hockey career in December last year, has been a key feature of Hockey Club Melbourne's undefeated run in the new seven-team national competition.
The former Hockeyroos striker, who represented her country at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, has netted six goals - including two doubles - in the opening six games of the season to sit equal first on the goal scoring leaderboard.
Ratcliffe said her form was driven by the teammates around her on the pitch.
"I'm getting good service (into the penalty circle) and I have a good, strong team around me," she said.
"We are undefeated and it's been nice to play in a team where they make everyone look good and provide plenty of support."
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The West Australian-based star, who is working as a managing consultant when off the pitch, said she had enjoyed the revamped national competition.
"It has been pretty successful after the old format needed a transformation and it seems to be exiting for everyone involved," she said.
"They have done a good job with it and I know Hockey Victoria really put in a lot of effort and money to make it successful and it's cool to see it pay off."
Hockey Club Melbourne have already secured the inaugural women's minor premiership with one game, against the Adelaide Fire at the State Netball & Hockey Centre on Sunday, remaining in the regular season.
The Fire sit in third place with three wins to their name and will see a trio of Hockeyroos players feature in their squad.
Melbourne will have its own slice of the national team with Rachael Lynch, Hayley Padgett, who is back from injury, and Sophie Taylor all selected to join Krissy Bates in the squad.
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