With just four rounds before the finals, several big games will be played in round twelve of the Wimmera hockey season at Kaniva on Saturday. Some teams are still playing for the opportunity to keep their season alive beyond round fifteen, while others will be battling for the best positions going into the finals.
With a win, the Nhill Thunderbirds could climb back into the Women’s top four while the Rangers have their last chance to push for a place in the Open finals, and Yanac Women and Kaniva Women are building a spirited rivalry that will continue on Saturday.
- Open -

The Nhill Rangers have their last chance to push for a place in the finals when they take on the Horsham Hurricanes (pictured above) in the feature match of the Open fixture on Saturday. A Nhill victory would see them draw equal with their opponent on points but would require a victory margin of at least four goals for them to end the round in the top four, but a loss would see the gap extend to eight points or two wins, that won’t be easy to make up in the three rounds remaining before the finals.

The Kaniva Cobras enjoyed a solid victory over Horsham last weekend but will find a more significant challenge in the Yanac Tigers, who extended their undefeated streak last weekend with a hard-fought one-goal win over the Hoops. Although the last time these two met they finished with a one-all draw, the Tigers, who need just one more win to confirm they will finish on top of the ladder, will go into this one as favourites, but a surprise from the Cobras on their home patch would see them rise to second on the ladder.

The Hoops have the bye, and the two points they receive for this should be enough to keep them in second place.

- Women -

All three games in the Women’s competition could have significant repercussions in the race to the finals.

In the replay of last year’s grand final, a win for the reigning premiers will all but ensure that they finish on top of the ladder, while after a drop in form over recent weeks, Kaniva will need a good performance to regain some confidence. Recent form suggests that it’s Yanac’s game to lose, but on the Kaniva ground, weather conditions and player availability could influence a very close match.

Both teams have much to play for when the Nhill Thunderbirds take on the Horsham Jets.

The chance to play finals is still possible for the ‘Birds if they come away with a win, while the Jets, who have shown some impressive form over recent weeks, need to keep winning to keep up their challenge for a top-two finish.

After a solid start to the season, the Dimboola Roos have lost form recently and will be looking for a good win over Warracknabeal to regain some confidence and fend off the challenge from Nhill for their place in the finals. Warracknabeal’s mix of young and inexperienced players has been gaining in confidence as the season has progressed and could challenge the Roos if they were not to have their best team on the field.

- Under 16 -

The round will hit off on Saturday morning with the leading two teams in the Under 16 competition playing off for a claim to the top of the ladder. A win by the Yanac Warriors would keep them on top and give them a six-point buffer that would be difficult for Kaniva to overcome in the remaining games, but a Raiders’ win would put them on top, which is a position they could defend. This game could go either way, influenced by many factors on the day.

The clash between the Nhill Leopards and Horsham Bombers has less riding on it. They are almost certain to finish in third and fourth positions and meet again in the semi-finals, so a victory would provide an excellent psychological boost but mean little in the outcome of the season.

One of the best games of the round will be between the Dimboola Kangaroos and Warracknabeal Revengers. Neither of these can make the finals, but going into the game equal on points, the winner should finish the team higher on the ladder.

They are very evenly matched, and despite this game not meaning much in the context of the competition, this should still be a great game to watch.


Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Twelve Fixture

Kaniva Recreation Reserve - Saturday 3rd August 2024

Field One

9.30 am- Under 16- Kaniva Raiders v. Yanac Warriors
11.00 am- Women- Kaniva Women v. Yanac Women
12.30 pm- Under 12 Development Program
 - Dimboola Kookaburras v. Warrack Avengers
 - Horsham Black Hawks v. Nhill Bandits
 - Kaniva Rampagers v. Yanac Lowan Stars
2.00 pm- Under 16- Dimboola Kangaroos v. Warrack Revengers
3.30 pm- Open- Kaniva Cobras v. Yanac Tigers

Field Two

11.00 am- Under 16- Horsham Bombers v. Nhill Leopards
12.30 pm- Open- Horsham Hurricanes v. Nhill Rangers
2.00 pm- Women- Horsham Jets v. Nhill Thunderbirds
3.30 pm- Women- Dimboola Roos v. Warrack Women

Bye - Warrack Hoops