Hockey gears up for finals action
tough one-goal loss to Wararack
Hoops and a solid win by Kaniva Cobras in Wimmera Hockey Association’s last homeand-away round resulted in the only significant change to finals.
The Cobras rose to second on an open division ladder and will squareoff in a second semi-final against undefeated Yanac Tigers on Saturday for a place in the grand final.
The Hoops, on the other hand, will have to play Dimboola Burras in a first semi-final, against the team that defeated them on Saturday, to stay alive in the 2017 premiership race.
The finals action is at Nhill’s Davis Park and Dimboola Burras should go into the first semi-final as favourites considering the latest results, but the Hoops comfortably won two earlier encounters.
The Hoops are a proud team and would not enjoy the idea of bowing out of the premiership race in the first week of finals for the first time since the early 1990s.
The young Burras team has gone close to qualifying for a grand final in recent years and will be eager to stay in the race to go at least one better this year.
In the second semi-final it is hard to tip against Yanac Tigers considering they have not been defeated yet this season. But Kaniva Cobras have played good hockey recently and will challenge this dominance.
The Tigers have played in the past 11 season deciders and have a wealth of finals experience in their team.
But the Cobras, who have not fared well in finals, have earned the opportunity to change this record this year.
A women’s first semi-final will be between Kaniva and Yanac with Kaniva playing finals for the first time since 2006 when the team lost a preliminary final to Warracknabeal.
Yanac Women, on the other hand, lost last year’s grand final to Dimboola Roos.
Kaniva has the motivation of working towards grand-final qualification and Yanac has the desire to erase the memory of last year’s loss.
Finals experience might be the only thing that separates the two teams.
A second semi-final is between Dimboola Roos and Horsham Jets.
As with Yanac Tigers in the open competition, Dimboola Roos have played well enough this season to go into the finals as favourites for the title.
Horsham Jets, meanwhile, have had an inconsistent season.
The Jets will have to play at their best if they are to challenge the depth of the Roos and earn the direct path into the grand final.
Under-16s: The first semi-final in under-16 competition will see Kaniva Raiders take on Dimboola Kangaroos.
The second semi-final will be between Warrack Revengers and Nhill Leopards. Finals action starts at 11am.
Final ladders
Open: Yanac Tigers 54 points, 39 goal difference; Kaniva Cobras 40, 10; Warrack Hoops 38, 22; Dimboola Burras 24, -9; Horsham Hurricanes 14, -26; Nhill Rangers 10, -36. Women: Dimboola Roos 56, 43; Horsham Jets 44, 26; Yanac Women 30, -3; Kaniva Women 28, -5; Nhill Thunderbirds 12, -32; Warrack Women 10, -29. Under-16: Warrack Revengers 46, 24; Nhill Leopards 44, 39; Kaniva Raiders 38, 17; Dimboola Kangaroos 34, 15; Yanac Warriors 12, -35; Horsham Bombers 6, -60.