Hockey finals line up still unknown
Acouple of weeks ago the run into Wimmera Hockey Association finals looked predictable, with most games going according to ladder positions.
But with some unexpected results, all games in the remaining five rounds can have an influence on the make-up of the finals.
Last week both Warrack Women and Nhill Rangers broke through for their first wins for the season, Kaniva Cobras moved into the open division top two for the first time in three years and Warrack Revengers displaced the Leopards at the top of an under-16 ladder after a narrow win.
Round-11 games will be shared between Kaniva and Yanac venues.
At Kaniva the feature game will be between Warrack Hoops and Dimboola Burras.
The Hoops have not lost four games in a row for more than 25 years, and this group of players will not want to set this new record. They are sitting on three consecutive losses and need to win to get their season back on track.
The Burras will want to prove they deserve their place in the top four, which they reclaimed with a win last weekend. Cobras will also want to maintain momentum with a win over Horsham Hurricanes, who need a win to keep their finals chances alive.
Form and ladder positions suggests Kaniva Raiders should finish ahead of Horsham Bombers in under-16 competition, and in the women’s competition Horsham Jets should be able to defeat Kaniva Women.
At Yanac, all but one game involves a top-three team playing a bottomthree team, which makes the clash between Warrack Revengers, the new under-16 leaders, and Dimboola Kangaroos the one of most interest.
These two teams are only separated by two points. All the other games appear to be straightforward.
Open
Nhill Rangers fulfilled their potential with a confident one-goal win over second-placed Hoops. The undermanned Hoops were unable to implement their usual quick, short passing game and could not stop the Rangers’ fast-running and long-hitting game.
Jason Reichelt proved the difference between the teams when he scored at the 30-minute mark of the first half.
Blake Miller was the Rangers’ best player, ahead of Mika Mccarthy, while Cameron Bardell and Marcus Williamson were best for the Hoops.
Even with this win the Rangers will struggle to make finals.
Kaniva Cobras confirmed they were a serious contender following a win over the Hoops with a spirited draw against undefeated Yanac Tigers.
In a fast game, both displayed good team work and it was the Cobras who went into the break with a two-goal lead courtesy of Adam Feder and Mathew Mcdonald. By the 20-minute mark of the second half the Tigers had drawn level after Jamie Harding and Brad Alexander both found the goals.
Kaniva gained a glimpse of an upset win when Lachlan Clark goaled with five minutes of play remaining. But Josh Cramer again levelled the scores within one minute of the siren.
Mcdonald, playing his first game for the season after a layoff for injury, was best for the Cobras along with Feder and Clark, while forwards Alexander, Lewis Wheaton and Cramer were best for the Tigers.
Despite the draw, the Tigers remain favourites to retain top spot on the ladder until the finals.
Dimboola Burras gave themselves breathing space in fourth place after a 3-2 win over Horsham Hurricanes.
Two goals to best-on-ground Caleb Halsall and one to Beau Lovett was enough to stay ahead of the Hurricanes, who scored twice through Will Gulline and Cade Dodson. Other leading players for the Burras were Talor Dent and Lachlan Schultz with Paul Mackereth, Gulline and Jarryd Bannan best for the Hurricanes.
Women
Warracknabeal Women broke through for their first win since round five last season, and in doing so have tripled their goal tally for the season.
Previously the team had only scored twice in nine games, but found the goals on four occasions against the Nhill Thunderbirds who could only reply with one.
Warracknabeal’s Sarah Hewitt opened scoring late in the first half and Jasmine Bull built on this with another goal early after the break.
Deb Cook kept Thunderbirds in the game midway through the second half, but this was not enough as Kelly Krahe added two late goals to confirm the win. Warrack Women named Krahe, Alana Morrow and Donna Robinson as better players, and again Kellie Farquharson, Ameilia Rintoule and Ellie Murden earned honours for the Thunderbirds.
Despite the win, Warracknabeal is unlikely to gain a place in finals.
Dimboola Roos asserted themselves at the top of the women’s competition with a one-goal win over nearest rivals, Horsham Jets. Goal-scorer Meaghan Pohlner has scored in each game she has played this season. More significantly it extended the Roos’ lead on the ladder to eight points, which the Jets will struggle to overhaul in the remaining five games.
The Roos’ midfield proved difficult for the Jets to breach with Brooke Mcmaster, Pohlner and Rebecca Lovett stand-out players. Full back Karen Triffitt was best for the Jets along with Sophie Robinson and Robyn Creek.
Yanac Women made the most of their opportunities and finished two goals ahead of Kaniva.
Yanac went into half time one goal ahead after Jill Kube was able to sneak the ball across the line. Shanaye Alexander scored a second goal to create the final two-goal victory margin.
Last year’s women’s best and fairest winner Louise Bone was best player for Yanac, along with Sophie Pipkorn, Hannah Honeyman and Susan Hedt.
Rachel Clark, runner-up to Bone in the best and fairest, was again nominated as Kaniva’s best player.