After finishing on top of all three competition ladders, the Yanac club will be looking for their Open, Women's and Under 16 teams to all gain direct passage to their respective grand finals when they host the semi finals of the Wimmera Hockey Association this Saturday.
It is difficult to read much into most team's form over recent weeks as few have been able to field their best combination of players, but this is expected to change this weekend with all teams striving to advance one step closer to the 2018 premiership.
Open - First Semi Final - Kaniva Cobras v Dimboola Burras
Both of these teams have had similar seasons, with only one drawn game separating them after round 15, and both have shown that when they can get their best combination on the field they can be competitive with any opponent.
Personnel changes almost every week has contributed to these teams having inconsistent results so the outcome of this game will be influenced considerably by exactly who takes the field.
Caleb Halsall is one key player for the Burras who has contributed each week, as both a solid defender and he is also the team's leading goal scorer from his regular forays up the field. The timely return of Lachlan Schulz from an overseas trip and the consistent form by Talor Dent will also boost the Burras' chances.
The most reliable player for the Cobras this year has been Lachie Mills, but he will also need help from Clint Beattie and Dave Cole if they are to earn another game.
So far this season…
Cobras - Won 7, Drawn 1
Burras - Won 6, Drawn 2
Head to Head in 2018…
Round 3 - Cobras 2 drew with Burras 2
Round 9 - Burras 3 defeated Cobras 2
Round 14 - Burras 3 defeated Cobras 2
Open - Second Semi Final - Yanac Tigers v Warrack Hoops
These two teams have met at some stage in the finals almost every season since the early 1990s and whilst the Tigers can boast the better overall record, the Hoops have managed to earn their own share of victories over this opponent.
So far this season these two teams have played out three thrilling and close games including draws in the only two games that the Tigers have not registered wins, and one narrow victory to the minor premiers.
A very even game in their most recent encounter last weekend suggests that this game could go either way.
The Tigers have match winning players all over the field, including Bradley and Todd Alexander and Simon Farmers in the mid field and goalkeeper Craig Magrath who has only conceded five goals in fifteen games.
Hoops' half back Cameron Bardell has shown some impressive form over recent weeks, as has centre forward Jarrod Knoop, and along with significant contributions from a number of younger players stepping up from the Under 16 team over the last two seasons, the Hoops have the personnel to take this game right up to the Tigers.
So far this season….
Tigers - Won 13, Drawn 2
Hoops - Won 9, Drawn 2
Head to Head in 2018…
Round 5 - Tigers 0 drew with Hoops 0
Round 10 - Tigers 2 defeated Hoops 0
Round 15 - Tigers 1 drew with Hoops 1
Women's - First Semi Final - Horsham Jets v Warrack Women
Warrack Women will be lining up for their first final since 2009, so very few of their players have experienced a senior final before and they come up against a Horsham Jets team that has been very inconsistent this season.
The Jets did not register a win until round five and they have also lost their last two so they are not taking very good form into this game, but Warrack's five wins have been distributed evenly throughout the season.
If Horsham can get their big four players in Ellie Morrow, Sophie Robinson, Launa Schilling and Roby Creek on the field at the same time they are almost unbeatable, but become vulnerable if even one of these players are missing.
Warrack will rely on their most experienced players including Kelly Krahe, Alana Morrow and Tiffany Bull, and as they showed back in round four, they are more that capable of defeating the Jets.
So far this season….
Jets - Won 5, Drawn 2
Warrack - Won 5, Drawn 1
Head to Head in 2018…
Round 4 - Warrack 4 defeated Jets 1
Round 8 - Jets 1 defeated Warrack 0
Round 13 - Jets 6 defeated Warrack 1
Women's - Second Semi Final - Yanac Women v Dimboola Roos
As can be seen from the head to head record this season of two draws and one single goal victory to the Roos, these two teams are very evenly matched and the psychological advantage of a win in this game could be the difference if they were to meet again in the grand final.
Two of the leading players in the Women's competition over recent years will face off in the midfield, with Erin Alexander dictating play from centre half back for the Yanac team, and Elizabeth Klinge filling the same role for Yanac.
Other players such as Susan Hedt, Shanaye Alexander and Mikalyla Farmers for Yanac and Rebecca Lovett, Vicki Smithyman and Brooke McMaster will also need to play significant roles if their team is to progress directly to the grand final.
So far this season….
Yanac - Won 12, Drawn 2
Roos - Won 11, Drawn 3
Head to Head in 2018…
Round 4 - Yanac 2 drew with Roos 2
Round 8 - Yanac 1 drew with Roos 1
Round 13 - Roos 1 defeated Yanac 0
Under 16 - First Semi Final - Nhill Leopards v Kaniva Raiders
The Raiders finished the regular season four wins behind their semi final opponent, but this will mean nothing with they line up at Yanac on Saturday afternoon.
Ladder positions suggest that the Leopards should go into the game as favourites, but over the last eight rounds, the Raiders have the better record, so once again the difference will come down to which players they can put on the field.
The Leopards have a more settled line-up but rely heavily on Jason Reichelt and Ellie Murden up forward and Kendra Clark at full back, whilst the Raiders' Olivia Williams, Jimmy Mitchell and Skye Braisby will be key to them winning the game.
So far this season….
Leopards - Won 9, Drawn 2
Raiders - Won 5, Drawn 2
Head to Head in 2018…
Round 4 - Leopards 3 defeated Raiders 0
Round 8 - Raiders 2 defeated Leopards 1
Round 13 - Leopards 2 defeated Raiders 0
Under 16 - Second Semi Final - Yanac Warriors v Warrack Revengers
After fifteen games, only one draw separated these two teams on the ladder, and not much separates them on the field either. Both have match winning players all over the field but do rely very heavily on them all firing on the day.
Mikayla Farmers , Caleb Zanker and Nathan Colbert are regular contributors for the Warriors and Oskar Bennett, Heath Johns and Ben Williamson will be key players for the Revengers.
This game could go either way but regardless of the result, an entertaining game is assured.
So far this season….
Warriors - Won 11, Drawn 3
Revengers - Won 11, Drawn 2
Head to Head in 2018…
Round 5 - Warriors 2 drew with Revengers 2
Round 10 - Revengers 1 defeated Warriors 0
Round 15 - Warriors 3 defeated Revengers 0
Semi Final Fixture
- at the Yanac Recreation Reserve
Field One
11.00 am - Under 16 - Yanac Warriors v Warrack Revengers
1.00 pm - Open - Yanac Tigers v Warrack Hoops
3.00 pm - Women - Yanac Women v Dimboola Roos
Field Two
11.00 am - Open - Kaniva Cobras v Dimboola Burras
1.00 pm - Under 16 - Nhill Leopards v Kaniva Raiders
3.00 pm - Women - Horsham Jets v Warrack Women
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