Big finale in Wimmera hockey
The top two teams in each division of Wimmera Hockey Association have earned the right to play off in grand finals at Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre on Saturday.
All of the teams involved have genuinely earned their place in the respective season deciders, with consistent form throughout the season.
Each team features players who can be ranked among the association’s best and their contributions will prove critical to their team’s chances of victory, either by controlling the game themselves, or providing a distraction to their opposition that allows the next tier of players to step up and make the difference.
In an open division grand final, Yanac Tigers will take on Warrack Hoops where there will be a wealth of hockey finals experience on display.
At least one of these two teams has played off in every grand final over the 29-year history of the competition, including 12 occasions when they have met each other in the season decider.
In their four meetings so far this season, the Tigers have narrowly won on two occasions and the Hoops have twice fought out draws.
Both teams have potential match winners all over the field, starting with their defences, who have only conceded five and 11 goals respectively, right through to their strong attacking combinations.
Although the Tigers have scored 62 goals this season – twice as many as the Hoops with 31 – it will only take one goal to win this game and both teams feature many forwards capable of scoring that goal.
Key players for the Tigers include the Alexander brothers Bradley, Todd and Shaun, tireless midfielder Simon Farmers and finals veteran Kim Croot.
Playmakers Cameron Bardell, Jarrod Knoop and Darius Cosgrave will hold the key to leading the Hoops to victory.
With their recent form, including not losing a game since the middle of the 2016 season, and their immense finals experience, it is difficult to tip against the Tigers.
But many of the Hoops’ premierships have come under similar underdog circumstances, so it would be dangerous for their opponents to take them lightly.
Regardless of who wins, these teams always provide a hockey spectacle and will provide at least 70 minutes of the most entertaining hockey seen in this competition this season.
Women
The head-to-head record between Yanac Women and Dimboola Roos stands at two wins each from four games, which suggests this encounter could also go either way.
The battle for control of the game will focus on the midfield and be between two leading players in the women’s competition over recent years – Erin Alexander for Yanac and Elizabeth Klinge for Dimboola.
Both fill pivotal centre-half back positions for their respective teams.
These two players have the ability to win the game off their own stick but can also bring team-mates into the action.
Both teams have many other talented players who are capable of influencing the game, with Natalie Jones, Susan Hedt, Shanaye Alexander and Mikalyla Farmers all able to step up and take control for Yanac.
Yanac will also have its hands full limiting the effectiveness of other key Dimboola players including Jennie Hauselburger, Rebecca Lovett, Vicki Smithyman and Brooke Mcmaster.
When these two teams played off in the grand final last season, it took a penalty stroke shootout after extra time to separate them.
Form throughout the closing rounds of the season suggests this game could be just as close.
Under-16s
Yanac Warriors and Warrack Revengers meet in under-16 competition and have been evenly matched in the four games they have met this season.
Revengers rely heavily on Oskar Bennett, who is capable of singlehandedly manoeuvring through most opposition defences and scoring.
But if the Warriors focus too much attention on him, worthy team-mates including Ben Williamson, Heath Johns, Faith Eilola and Leah Eilola are all capable of filling the gap.
Mikayla Farmers has had a good season for the Warriors and will form an important link in the midfield for her team, but can rely on plenty of help from Caleb Zanker, Jasper Croot and Nathan Colbert.
The difference between the teams could well come from one of the fringe players who get the opportunity to shine.
As demonstrated throughout this season, there is little separating these two teams, which always leads to an entertaining final.
Preliminary finals results Open: Warrack Hoops 2 (Goals, J. Williamson, J. Knoop; best, J. Knoop, H. Wagenknecht, R. Brown) d Kaniva Cobras 0 (L. Mills, D. Shalders, D. Cole). Women: Yanac 3 (S. Alexander, E. Alexander, S. Hedt; S. Alexander, E. Alexander, N. Jones) d Horsham Jets 0 (E. Morrow, S. Robertson, R. Creek). Under-16s: Yanac Warriors 2 (C. Zanker 2; J. Croot, C. Zanker, L. Farmers) d Nhill Leopards 0 (J. Reichelt, K. Rowe, E. Murden).