Final round for hockey teams
After the penultimate round of Wimmera Hockey Association’s regular season, teams to contest the finals in all three competitions have been set.
The highlight of the round was a maiden 2019 victory for last-placed under-16 team Dimboola Kangaroos.
The Kangaroos finally lived up to their potential and scored a win in their second last game for the season.
As teams go into the last round of the regular season, all open-division finalists have been set, so the most interest will be in whether Dimboola Burras can leap over Warrack Hoops into second place on the ladder and earn a valuable second chance in the finals.
The Hoops will be the first of these teams to take to the field at Yanac on Saturday when they face off against Horsham Hurricanes.
Although this latter team goes into this game on the bottom of the ladder, it still has the incentive of an opportunity to avoid the wooden spoon if it can register a last-round win, and Kaniva Cobras suffer a loss.
The Hurricanes have shown promising form at times and have played better than their modest return of one win and two draws suggests.
Regardless of the result, Yanac Tigers
will again go into finals as minor premiers and their opponents, Kaniva Cobras, will miss the finals.
Like the Hurricanes, the Cobras are capable of some good hockey and will give the Tigers a good workout.
If the Hoops lose their game earlier in the day, the result of the final game will determine who finishes second.
Fourth-placed Nhill Rangers have earned their first finals appearance in six seasons with impressive hockey in recent weeks and are quite capable of causing an upset if Dimboola Burras do not play at their best.
If the Hoops win or draw their game they will finish second, but if the Burras are to snatch second place they need the Hoops to suffer a loss and score a win themselves.
Women
The women’s division top four cannot change irrespective of the results on Saturday, but there is still interest in all three games.
Both Horsham Jets and Warracknabeal will put away their hockey sticks after this weekend’s game and, although neither can rise into the top four, both will be looking to finish the season on a high.
The other two games see match-ups within the top four, with all eager to score a psychological advantage before they potentially meet in the finals.
Dimboola Roos take on Nhill Thunderbirds and Yanac plays Kaniva, but the only possible change in ladder position would require an unlikely combination of results.
For Dimboola to steal top spot, Yanac would have to lose only its second game for the season, and by a substantial margin, and the Roos would need to register a big win.
Even with losses the Thunderbirds and Kaniva will finish in third and fourth places on the ladder respectively.
Results – Open: Yanac Tigers 4 (Goals, J. Cramer 2, A. Magrath, N. Alexander; Best, J. Cramer, T. Alexander, A. Magrath) d Nhill Rangers 0 (S. Bone, L. Marra, J. Reichelt); Warrack Hoops 4 (C. Bardell, M. Williamson, O. Bennett, R. Bennett; C. Bardell, S. Schultz, H. Wagenknecht) d Kaniva Cobras 1 (J. Hendy; C. Beattie, M. Goodwin, D. Cole); Dimboola Burras 6 (L. Schultz 2, J. Williams, L. Geary, C. Baldock, Z. Slater-collard; J. Lovett, C. Baldock, L. Schultz) d Horsham Hurricanes 0 (J. Kube, H. Knights, S. Hoffman). Ladder: Yanac Tigers 52 points, 33 goal difference; Warrack Hoops 38, 22; Dimboola Burras 36, 20; Nhill Rangers 22, -10; Kaniva Cobras 12, -32; Horsham Hurricanes 8, -33. Women: Yanac 5 (C. Beattie 2, S. Shurdington, N. Harding, E. Wheaton; E. Alexander, N. Penhall, C. Beattie) d Nhill Thunderbirds 0 (K. Clark, B. Cuming, C. Kessler); Kaniva 2 (C. Shurdington, L. Stimson; O. Williams, C. Shurdington, L. Stimson, H. White) d Warracknabeal 0 (K. Krahe, R. McNamara, T. Bull, T. Engelbrecht); Dimboola Roos 6 (A. King 3, B. Mcmaster, K. Smithyman, J. Klinge; J. Klinge, E. Klinge, K. Smithyman) d Horsham Jets 0 (L. Schilling, C. Lawson, S. O’connor). Ladder: Yanac Women 50, 50; Dimboola Roos 46, 44; Nhill Thunderbirds 32, -1; Kaniva Women 24, -6; Horsham Jets 16, -22; Warrack Women 0, -65. Under-16: Yanac Warriors 5 (C. Hassall, Caleb Zanker, Chloe Zanker, M. Farmers, J. Croot; A. Farmers, N. Colbert, C. Hassall) d Nhill Leopards 0 (K. Rowe, D. Clark, K. Clark); Kaniva Raiders 1 (M. Goodwin; M. Goodwin, N. White, C. White) d Warrack Revengers (B. Williamson, H. Johns, T. Engelbrecht); Dimboola Kangaroos 1 (T. Krelle; F. Eilola, T. Krelle, S. Pedie) d Horsham Bombers 0 (B. Brooks, K. Schwarz, S. Foot). Ladder: Yanac Warriors 56, 115; Kaniva Raiders 38, 13; Warrack Revengers 28, -13; Nhill Leopards 26, -6; Horsham Bombers 16, -52; Dimboola Kangaroos 4, -57.