With one team locked into each of the three Wimmera Hockey Association’s grand finals after last weekend, their opponents will be decided on Saturday when the three preliminary finals will be contested.
All six teams that will take to the field at Kaniva will have their own motivation as to why they believe that they are the team to progress to the next level, which will give three captivating games of hockey worthy of the lead in to the feature games of the season the following week.
Open - Warrack Hoops v Kaniva Cobras
It is by no means a disgrace to lose a semi final to a three times reigning champion team that has not lost a game in two and a half seasons, but the Warrack Hoops may not be taking such a philosophical view of the result of their game last Saturday.
Being the only team to take points off the all-conquering Tigers this season, with two drawn games, and being the last team to defeated them back in round 13 2016, the Hoops will dearly like to have one more crack at their arch enemy, but will need to overcome the Kaniva Cobras if they are to do so.
The Cobras are coming off the highest scoring semi final last weekend when five goals were scored, and after getting the club’s first taste of a senior grand final last year this group of players will be keen to return to the ultimate game of the season and the chance for glory.
Throughout this season the Cobras have troubled the Hoops, registering two wins from their three games, but the goals tally is two each over the season indicating that these two teams are very evenly matched.
Both have a significant incentive to win, so this should prove to be an enthralling encounter with the only guaranteed result being the team that wins will definitely have earned the right to progress.
As with most games this season the exact combination of players to take to the field will go a long way to determine which team wins.
Leading players for the Hoops include Marcus Williamson and Hamish Wagenknecht in the midfield, Russell Brown as the last line of defence and Jarrod Knoop and Sandon Schultz in the forward line, but it may come down to the contribution by the fringe players to get the team over the line.
Lachie Mills, Dave Cole and Clint Beattie have been pivotal for the Cobras all season, but they have many other players who are capable of stepping up and making the difference.
Head to Head in 2018 -
Round 2 - Cobras 1 defeated Hoops 0
Round 6 - Hoops 2 defeated Cobras 0
Round 12 - Cobras 1 defeated Hoops 0
Women - Yanac Women v Horsham Jets
From very early this season there has been a considerable gap between the top two teams and the rest of the Women’s competition, which is illustrated by the one sided head to head record between these two teams.
The Jets did not win their first game until round five and only finished with five victories in contrast to Yanac who finished on top of the ladder with twelve wins from fifteen games.
Given their respective records so far this season, it would be difficult to tip against Yanac bouncing back from their narrow defeat last weekend, but the Jets go into this game with nothing to lose and will feel less pressure to perform which could easily lead to an upset.
If the game were to come down to extra time or penalty strokes, it could go either way.
Yanac have leading players all over the field, but Erin Alexander, Shanaye Alexander, Susan Hedt and Mikayla Farmers will be the ones who their team mates will look to for leadership and structure for the team.
The Jets best performances this season have been when their big four players, Ellie Morrow, Sophie Robinson, Launa Schilling and Robyn Creek, all fire at the same time, so this will be an important factor on Saturday.
Head to Head in 2018 -
Round 3 - Yanac 6 defeated Jets 0
Round 9 - Yanac 4 defeated Jets 0
Round 14 - Yanac (5) defeated Jets (0) by forfeit
Under 16 - Yanac Warriors v Nhill Leopards
The Under 16 competition also had two stand out teams from early in the season, with the Revengers already through to the grand final, and the Warriors clearly being the other dominant team.
Whilst the Leopards were a step below the leaders, they were also well above the remaining three teams and have earned their opportunity to play off for a place in the season decider.
Ladder position and head to head record throughout this season suggests that Yanac should win, but it will only take one or two of their players to have an off day and one or two Leopards to play above their usual standard to give a different result.
Mikayla Farmers has had a great season in both the Under 16 an Women’s competitions but it will be her ability to left her team that will see them win. Jasper Croot, Nathan Colbert and Alexis Farmers will also need to play significant roles.
The Leopards rely heavily on Jason Reichelt up forward, Ellie Murden in the mid-field and Kendra Clark at full back but they too will need contributions from all players if they are to score their first win over the Warriors this year.
Head to Head in 2018 -
Round 2 - Leopards 2 drew with Warriors 2
Round 6 - Warriors 3 defeated Leopards 0
Round 12 - Warriors 1 defeated Leopards 0
Preliminary Finals Fixture
- at the Kaniva Recreation Reserve
11.00 am - Under 16 - Yanac Warriors v Nhill Leopards
1.00 pm - Women - Yanac Women v Horsham Jets
3.00 pm - Open - Warrack Hoops v Kaniva Cobras
|
