It will be a big day at Yanac on Saturday as not only will the host club be welcoming back many former players and supporters for the ‘Back to Yanac Hockey Club’ function, but on the field, several teams will be competing to keep their chance of playing finals alive while others are still jostling for the prime positions to mount their assault on the premiership.

Open

The biggest match of the day will feature the top-of-the-ladder clash between the Yanac Tigers and Warrack Hoops, the two most successful teams in this division over its forty-year history.

They have already locked in to meet again in the semi-finals at the end of the month, and while this week’s result will not influence their place in the finals, with a record of one win each in their two meetings so far this season, the psychological advantage of a win on Saturday will not be lost on either team.

With the remaining three teams still fighting for the last two places in the top four, the other match will have a totally different level of pressure, particularly for the Horsham Hurricanes who must win if they are to maintain any ambitions of progressing to the finals. The Nhill Rangers have shown significant improvement this year, and a win will confirm their place in the finals. A loss to Horsham will not eliminate them from the finals race but will make their task so much harder, as they would then have to defeat the dominant Tigers for the first time in over ten years, in the following round to stay in the race.

Despite having the bye, the Kaniva Cobras will hold their place in the top four for at least another week.

Women

The big game in the Women’s division will see the Dimboola Roos take on Kaniva. The Roos are currently on top of their ladder, but on equal points and just one goal ahead of Yanac, so they need to keep winning if they are to remain there at the end of the last round. Kaniva are comfortable in third place but need to put in some good performances against the top teams if they are to seriously challenge once the finals begin. After defeating the Roos when they last met in round ten and a solid performance despite losing to Yanac last weekend, Kaniva should put in a good show, but the Roos should prove too strong on this occasion.

The Nhill Thunderbirds will be looking to fine-tune their game plan when they take on the Horsham Jets. The Jets are out of contention for the finals while the ‘Birds are assured of fourth place on the ladder, but Horsham could get some satisfaction out of defeating a certain finalist while the ‘Birds need the confidence that will come from a win.

The rivalry between Yanac and Warrack Women has softened in recent years as the latter’s form has not reached the highs of their multiple premierships in the 1990s and early 2000s, and even after earning their first points for the season with a draw with the Jets last weekend, Warrack will still find Yanac a formidable opponent.

Under 16

With the order of the top four in the Under 16 competition still up in the air, recent form suggests the Yanac Warriors and Warrack Revengers should put on the best display in this division. The Revengers are vying for top spot with the Nhill Leopards, while the Warriors are currently at the bottom of the top four, and a win over a fellow finals opponent would boost their confidence.

The Leopards should retain their grip on top spot for at least another week with a win over the Horsham Bombers, and although the Kaniva Raiders will find the Dimboola Kangaroos more challenging, they should add to their seven wins and stay within reach of challenging for a top two finish.


Wimmera Hockey Association - Round Twelve Fixture

Yanac Recreation Reserve, Yanac - Saturday 8 August 2026

Field One

9.30 am- Under 16- Yanac Warriors v. Warrack Revengers
11.00 am- Under 16- Kaniva Raiders v. Dimboola Kangaroos
12.30 pm- Hookin2Hockey - Development Program
 - Yanac Lowan Stars v. Warrack Avengers
 - Kaniva Rampagers v. Dimboola Kookaburras
 - Horsham Black Hawks  v. Nhill Bandits
2.00 pm- Women- Yanac Women v. Warrack Women
3.30 pm- Open- Yanac Tigers v. Warrack Hoops

Field Two

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

Bye - Kaniva Cobras