The teams to play off in the 2018 Wimmera Hockey Association grand finals have been set after three thrilling preliminary finals at Kaniva on Saturday, with three Yanac teams, two Warracknabeal and one from Dimboola to feature in the ultimate games of the season next Saturday at the Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre.
Open
In the open game the Warrack Hoops outlasted a determined Kaniva Cobras to earn another opportunity to take on the Yanac Tigers in a season decider - the eleventh occasion these two teams will have played each other for the title in the last twenty one seasons.
The game started at a frenetic pace with the Cobras showing more composure early and created some potential scoring opportunities that were thwarted by wayward hitting or strong defence by the Hoops.
A number of minor on-field indiscretions resulting in players spending time in the sin bin gave the Cobras numerical superiority during a period in the first half but they were unable to take full advantage of this and both teams remained scoreless at the break.
The pace of the game did not reduce in the second half, but the Hoops’ became more focussed and their confidence increased after Jarrod Knoop put them on the scoreboard early after play resumed.
A second goal, to team captain Jordan Williamson, with ten minutes of play remaining heralded an intense period of hockey with the Hoops playing desperately to preserve their lead, and the Cobras fighting just as hard to get back into the game.
In the dying minutes the Cobras made the move to substitute their goalkeeper, opting for an extra field player in an attempt to create more forward pressure, but this was to no avail as the Hoops defenders kept them out and the game ended in a two goal victory for the Hoops.
Inspired goalkeeping by Russell Brown was instrumental in the Hoops winning the game along with Jarrod Knoop at centre forward and Hamish Wagenknecht at half back.
The Cobras were not disgraced by this result as the fought out the game to the end, with the reliable Lachie Mills controlling their midfield, and Duncan Shalders and Dave Cole creating opportunities on the forward line.
Women
Minor premiers Yanac Women turned around their loss in the semi final last week to defeat the Horsham Jets and will now prepare for their sixth grand final in succession.
The Jets started their 2018 season slowly, not recording a win until round five, but their form improved towards the business end of the season and they put in a commendable performance to narrowly miss a place in the grand final.
Yanac spent the entire season on top of the ladder and would have been disappointed when they didn’t win their semi final to progress directly to the grand final.
They corrected this with a strong performance in the preliminary final which ended in a three goal win.
Erin Alexander goaled early in the game to give Yanac the advantage, and despite controlling much of the play for the remainder of the first half, determined defence by the Jets kept them in the game.
Goals to Sudan Hedt and Shanaye Alexander extended the lead in the second half, and despite some determined play the Jets, who went into the game with two less interchange players than their opponents, were not able to keep pace with Yanac’s greater options.
Yanac’s strong mid-field featured the team’s two best players in the game, Shanaye Alexander and Erin Alexander, with Natalie Jones also creating many forward moves.
Regular performers for the Jets Ellie Morrow, Sophie Robinson and Robyn Creek all once again shone.
Under 16
The Yanac Warriors will meet the Warrack Revengers in the Under 16 grand final after defeating the Nhill Leopards by two goals
The Leopards started the game strongly, earning two penalty corners within the first seven minutes, but strong Yanac defence prevented any scoring.
The trend of the game then swung to the Warriors as they lifted their game but solid defence at the other end of the ground also contributed to neither team scoring before half time.
A run down the field by Caleb Zanker ten minutes into the second half resulted in the first score of the game, and minutes later the Warriors had the opportunity to extend this lead but the Leopards’ goalkeeper Kayden Rowe successful defended a penalty stroke.
Above - The Yanac Warriors celebrate a goal in their preliminary final win on Saturday.
Zanker scored again later in the half to give the Warriors a two goal lead which they were able to maintain until the end.
With the victory comes the right to meet the Warrack Revengers in the grand final next week.
Jasper Croot played a strong game at full back for the Warriors, and Caleb Zanker and Lexi Farmer contributed significantly to their team’s win, and regular leading players Jason Reichelt and Ellie Murden played well in the midfield for the Leopards, and Rowe put in a tireless game in the goals.
Grand Final Fixture
- at the Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre
11.00 am - Under 16 - Warrack Revengers v Yanac Warriors
1.00 pm - Women - Dimboola Roos v Yanac Women
3.00 pm - Open - Yanac Tigers v Warrack Hoops
Results - Preliminary Finals
Open
Warrack Hoops 2 (Goals - J Williamson, J Knoop; Best - J Knoop, H Wagenknecht, R Brown) defeated Kaniva Cobras 0 (Best - L Mills, D Shalders, D Cole)
Women
Yanac 3 (Goals - S Alexander, E Alexander, S Hedt; Best - S Alexander, E Alexander, N Jones) defeated Horsham Jets 0 (Best - E Morrow, S Robertson, R Creek)
Under 16
Yanac Warriors 2 (Goals - C Zanker 2; Best - J Croot, C Zanker, L Farmers) defeated Nhill Leopards 0 (Best - J Reichelt, K Rowe, E Murden)
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