The last round of the Wimmera Hockey Association regular season will be played at Dimboola this weekend, and there is still plenty to play for across the senior grades.While the semi-final match-ups in the Under 16 competition have already been set, three teams are still fighting for the last two places in the Women’s finals, and the all-important ‘double chance’ is still on the line in the Open division. - Open -
Both games on Saturday in the Open competition can influence which team will join the Yanac Tigers in the top two going into the finals.
The drawn game last weekend between the Warrack Hoops and Kaniva Cobras kept the Hoops in second place, but the Cobras are still close enough to overtake them and earn the double chance.
The Hoops take on the Horsham Hurricanes in the twilight on Saturday evening in a match where a win will ensure they will finish in second place, and courtesy of their superior goal difference, even a tie should be enough for them to finish above the Cobras. Although the Horsham Hurricanes have had an inconsistent season, they play the artificial surface at Dimboola well and will not be an easy opponent, but with the prize on offer, the Hoops should have the motivation needed for a win.
When the Cobras take to the field in the following match, they will know if they are still in the running for second place. Their opponent is the Nhill Rangers, who have shown significant improvement over the latter part of the season and, with the incentive of ending their season on a high, will mount a serious challenge for the Cobras. However, if the incentive of moving up the ladder is still on offer, the Kaniva team will be hard to beat.
As the Yanac Tigers’ have the bye this week their players can sit back and watch the action in the knowledge that they cannot drop from the top of the ladder.
- Women -
As with the Open division, every game in the Women’s this round can influence who will pack away their gear for the season and who will line up the following weekend in the semi-finals.
On Friday evening, the Dimboola Roos’ season will be on the line when they take on the competition-leading Yanac team, which cannot be deposed from the top spot, regardless of the result.
The Roos have impressed in their return to the competition this season but having to defeat the dominant Yanac to ensure a finals berth is a big ask. With an unlikely win or a draw, Dimboola are in the finals, but a loss will see them have to wait for the results of the matches on Saturday afternoon to confirm their fate.
Above - A win or draw against Yanac on Friday evening will ensure the Dimboola Roos will play finals, otherwise, they will have to wait on other results on Saturday afternoon to find out if they get to play on next week.
The Horsham Jets tackle Warracknabeal in a must-win game if they are progress. A loss or draw would immediately end their season, regardless of other results, and while a win will not guarantee a place in the semi-finals, it will keep them in the running, depending upon the result of the last match.
Warracknabeal cannot make the finals but has been improving over the second half of the season, and the opportunity for them to deny a place in the finals to Horsham, the team they leapfrogged into the semi-finals last year on the result of the last game of the season, could see them lift and record their first win for this year.
A tie with or victory over Kaniva in the last Women’s match will ensure the Nhill Thunderbirds qualify for a semi-final, but even with a loss, they could progress, depending upon other results.
- Under 16 -
Regardless of the results this weekend, the semi-final matchups have already been set, and no changes are possible on the ladder before the finals, but there are still a couple of games that could provide some interest.
Although the second-placed Kaniva Raiders should have the edge over the third-placed Nhill Leopards this could be a close match considering the scare the Leopards gave the Yanac Warriors last weekend, and while the Horsham Bombers are safe in fourth place, the Warrack Revengers have nothing to lose and could put in a big one in their last game for the season.
The competition-leading Yanac Warriors should tune-up for the finals with a win over the Dimboola Kangaroos.
- Under 12 Development Program -
The Under 12 Development Program will conclude for the season on Saturday with the last round of games and the presentation of certificates and Encouragement awards.
Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Fifteen Fixture
Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre - Friday 23 and Saturday 24 August 2024
*** Note altered times on Friday evening and Saturday morning ***
Friday Evening
| 6.30 pm | - Under 16 | - Dimboola Kangaroos | v. Yanac Warriors
| | 8.00 pm | - Women | - Dimboola Roos | v. Yanac Women
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Saturday
| 9.00 am | - Under 16 | - Horsham Bombers | v. Warrack Revengers
| | 10.30 am | - Under 16 | - Nhill Leopards | v. Kaniva Raiders
| | 12.00 pm | - Under 12 Development Program & Presentations
| | | - Nhill Bandits | v. Kaniva Rampagers
| | | - Horsham Black Hawks | v. Warrack Avengers
| | | - Dimboola Kookaburras | v. Yanac Lowan Stars
| | 1.30 pm | - Women | - Horsham Jets | v. Warrack Women
| | 3.00 pm | - Women | - Nhill Thunderbirds | v. Kaniva Women
| | 4.30 pm | - Open | - Horsham Hurricanes | v. Warrack Hoops
| | 6.00 pm | - Open | - Nhill Rangers | v. Kaniva Cobras
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