Wimmera hockey season set to start
Wimmera Hockey Association’s 2022 season is set to hit off on Saturday, with Dimboola club hosting a full round of matches on the artificial turf at Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre.
After last season’s disappointment, with only 10 rounds played and the finals cancelled, the Wimmera’s hockey players are keen to take to the field again, eager for a full and uninterrupted season.
This year, the association’s six clubs will all field teams in each of the open, women and under-16 competitions, except for Dimboola, which is only fielding an open team.
In addition, all clubs will be represented in a popular under-12 development program.
Most teams start the season as unknowns, with many still finalising their playing rosters, so it will be several rounds before we get a good indication of how they will all perform in 2022.
Perennial champions, Yanac Tigers, dominated last year’s open competition by winning all 10 of their games, with the Warrack Hoops not far behind. These two have played off in eight of the last 10 grand finals, so all eyes will be on them to see if this rivalry will continue.
Lower on the ladder, only two wins separated the Dimboola Burras, Nhill Rangers, Kaniva Cobras and Horsham Hurricanes, so subject to off-season player movements, any of these could emerge as a serious contender.
Yanac also dominated the women’s division and will again be the team to catch, but Kaniva was on track to qualify for its first-ever grand final when last season was abandoned and will have the incentive of some unfinished business from 2021 to spur them on.
Nhill Thunderbirds and Horsham Jets filled the remaining places in the top four and should be competitive again.
Warracknabeal Women return after not fielding a team last year, and although being in a rebuilding period, they will have the freedom from expectations that might just allow them to spring some surprises if any opponents choose not to take them seriously.
The under-16 competition is always challenging to predict, as forced personnel changes due to older players moving to the senior ranks will give most teams a very different look from last season.
Yanac Warriors were undefeated in this competition last year, and regardless of player changes, they always tend to be towards the top of the ladder.
Horsham Bombers were closing in on their first grand-final appearance in two decades last year, so the early interest will be in whether they can recapture last year’s form and realise that potential.
Nhill Leopards, Kaniva Raiders and Warrack Revengers should all be in the mix again after only half a win separated them at the end of last season.
The under-12 development program will not start until round two, with its timeslot on Saturday filled with the association’s annual meeting and presentation of the trophies from last season.