After all local teams enjoyed a bye last weekend whilst the Wimmera Hockey Association sent three underage teams to Melbourne to participate in the Junior Country Championships, a full round of games will be played this Saturday shared between the venues at Yanac and Kaniva.
After only three rounds of the 2019 season, leaders have begun to appear in all three divisions and other teams need to be careful that they do not fall too far off the pace this early in the season if they are to remain in contention for the finals.
Open
Yanac Tigers v Nhill Rangers
It has been a long time since the Nhill Rangers could legitimately claim ‘match of the day ‘ status when they take on perennial competition leaders, the Yanac Tigers, but they will when they travel to the Yanac recreation reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Both of these teams are undefeated after three rounds, with the Tigers registering three victories and the Rangers one win and two draws. The Tigers can boast an impressive recent record which includes winning ten of the last thirteen premierships, whilst the Rangers have not featured in the finals since 2013, when they unsuccessfully contested a semi final, and they last played in a grand final in 1997.
This year the Rangers have found some consistency with a mix of older players sharing their experience with the younger players who provide speed and agility around the field, but they will face tough challenge this weekend.
The Yanac team, which has not lost a game since round 13, 2016, is continuing to be the measuring stick for the competition and are on track to build on this in 2019.
This will be a major challenge for the Rangers to cause an upset, but the Tigers will have to take this opponent seriously if they are to maintain their current record.
Dimboola Burras v Horsham Hurricanes
The Dimboola Burras have been a bit hot and cold so far this season, but will have to play their best if they are to defeat a confident Horsham Hurricanes who earned their first points last round.
Both of these team have one win from their three games and the winner of this game will finish this round in the top four whilst the vanquished team will begin to fall behind the leaders.
Both teams have a good mix of younger and experienced players and it is difficult to separate the two on paper, so the Hurricanes win on grass last round compared to the Burras’ only win being on the artificial turf of their home ground could be the difference given that this game is to be played on grass at Yanac.
Warrack Hoops v Kaniva Cobras
A tough game is expected when the Warrack Hoops venture to Kaniva to take on the home team as these two have come the closet to challenging the dominance of the Tigers over recent years.
The Cobras have not enjoyed a good start to their season, having lost a number of veteran players since last year, but will feel most comfortable, and be at their most dangerous, on their home ground.
The Hoops are also missing a number of regular players from their 2018 grand final team and are still experimenting to find their best on field combination.
Warrack’s home ground has a similar surface to the field at the Kaniva Recreation Reserve so the way the teams adapt to the ground should not be a factor in deciding this game, but the result will rest entirely on how each team gels together on the day.
Women
Kaniva Women v Warrack Women
The Warrack Women have not enjoyed much good fortune early in 2019, so will be looking to kick start their season when they take on Kaniva on Saturday afternoon.
Injuries to a number of key players is testing the team’s depth but has also provided an ideal opportunity for some younger and less experienced players to step up, and although recent results do to suggest this, it is happening which should show dividends later in the season.
Kaniva has two wins from their three games and will be looking to build on this record with a home ground win.
Nhill Thunderbirds v Yanac Women
The Nhill Thunderbirds are currently equal second on the ladder with the Dimboola Roos, and only one win behind the undefeated Yanac Women, so they will have a good idea of where they stand in the competition after their clash with the ladder leaders.
Yanac was in awesome form in the lead up to their grand final victory last year and they have continued this into the new season, so it will take everything the Thunderbirds have to take points off Yanac for the first time in 2019.
Dimboola Roos v Horsham Jets
The Dimboola Roos slipped up against the reigning premiers in their last game, and will need to quickly rediscover their best form when they take on the Horsham Jets.
The Horsham team is yet to win a game this season, but they also started slowly last year, not registering a win until round five, before they finished strongly to qualify for the finals.
Taking on a Roos team that is not at the top of its game is an ideal opportunity for the Jets to open their account for 2019.
Under 16
Nhill Leopards v Yanac Warriors
The Nhill Leopards had a strong win over the Revengers last round, but this was their first victory for the season, so taking on the current ladder leader will give them a good opportunity to gauge their current form.
The undefeated Yanac Warriors are in impressive form and it is difficult to see them failing on their home ground.
Kaniva Raiders v Warrack Revengers
A tight game in anticipated when the Kaniva Raiders, who are also undefeated, host the Warrack Revengers in the opening game on the Kaniva ground on Saturday morning.
The Revengers are missing a couple of key players from their 2018 grand final team and are still experimenting with different on-field combinations, but when they find their best mix they will be a team to take seriously.
Dimboola Kangaroos v Horsham Bombers
Despite struggling for player numbers this season, the Dimboola Kangaroos have put in a couple of strong performances and their clash with a Horsham Bombers team that is finding some form should prove interesting.
Neither of these teams have enjoyed much success over recent seasons but have always put on a good exhibition of hockey when they play each other, and this encounter should be no different, although recent form suggests that the Bombers should finish ahead.
Round Four Fixture
at Kaniva Recreation Reserve
11:00 am - Under 16 - Kaniva Raiders v Warracknabeal Revenger
12:30 pm - Under 12 Development Program - Kaniva Rampagers v Warracknabeal Avengers
1:30 pm - Women - Kaniva Women v Warracknabeal Women
3:00 pm - Open - Kaniva Cobras v Warracknabeal Hoops
at Yanac Recreation Reserve
Field One Field Two
11:00 am - Under 16 - Yanac Warriors v Nhill Leopards
12:30 pm - Under 12 Development Program - Yanac Lowan Stars v Nhill Bandits
1:30 pm - Women - Yanac Women v Nhill Thunderbirds
3:00 pm - Open - Yanac Tigers v Nhill Rangers
Field One Field Two
11:00 am - Under 16 - Dimboola Kangaroos v Horsham Bombers
12:30 pm - Under 12 Development Program - Dimboola Kookaburras v Horsham Black Hawks
1:30 pm - Open - Dimboola Burras v Horsham Hurricanes
3:00 pm - Women - Dimboola Roos v Horsham Jets
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