All six teams to contest the three Wimmera Hockey Association grand finals at Anzac Park in Warracknabeal on Saturday go into their games with a justifiable belief that they could end the day as premiers, in the culmination of one of the most even seasons in recent memory.
Three teams, the Tigers, Yanac, and Leopards, have earned the opportunity to play for back-to-back titles, but each will face a worthy opponent who has the talent to upset these ambitions, so none of the games has a clear favourite, and any combination of results is possible.
Open - Yanac Tigers v Warrack HoopsHead-to-head in 2026 -
Round 5 - Hoops 2 defeated Tigers 1
Round 10 - Tigers 2 defeated Hoops 0
Round 13 - Tigers 5 defeated Hoops 0
Semi-Final - Tigers 4 defeated Hoops 2
Head-to-head in Grand Finals -
Played - 17 Tigers - 12 Hoops - 5
Record in Grand Finals against all opponents -
Tigers - Played - 31 Premierships - 21
Hoops - Played - 22 Premierships - 5 The Tigers go into the Open grand final as favourites, having defeated the Hoops three times in their four meetings so far this season, and on the hunt for an eleventh straight title, but the Hoops proved earlier this season that they are beatable by inflicting their first loss since 2019. While the Tigers were not at full strength on that occasion, the Hoops also sabotaged themselves in the semi-final with some undisciplined tackling and played much of the second half with less than the full complement of players on the field.
This game should see both take to the field with their best combinations, so there will be no excuses on either side to stand in the way of what will undoubtedly be another epic season decider between these two teams, who will be playing their eighteenth grand final together in the 37 seasons of the competition.
Either team could win, and it will be discipline and composure as much as skill that will decide the title. Regardless of the result, it will be a game worth watching.
Women - Yanac v KanivaHead-to-head in 2026 -
Round 3 - Yanac 2 defeated Kaniva 0
Round 7 - Yanac 3 defeated Kaniva 1
Round 12 - Yanac 3 defeated Kaniva 0
Head-to-head in Grand Finals -
Played - 2 Yanac - 1 Kaniva - 1
Record in Grand Finals against all opponents -
Yanac - Played - 24 Premierships - 10
Kaniva - Played - 4 Premierships - 2 While Yanac has defeated their grand final opponent three times from three this year, Kaniva has the confidence and self-belief that comes from defeating the dominant minor premiers, the Dimboola Roos, twice, suggesting that they both go into this game on an even footing.
Recent history also highlights how evenly matched they are, with both having played in three of the last four grand finals and winning two each. Both teams have squads featuring a wealth of finals experience, and the team whose next tier of players steps up and handles the pressure best will take home the title.
Under 16 - Warrack Revengers v Nhill LeopardsHead-to-head in 2026 -
Round 4 - Revengers 7 defeated Leopards 6
Round 8 - Leopards 8 defeated Revengers 2
Round 14 - Revengers 5 defeated Leopards 4
Head-to-head in Grand Finals -
Played - 3 Revengers - 2 Warriors - 1
Record in Grand Finals against all opponents -
Revengers - Played - 25 Premierships - 14
Warriors - Played - 10 Premierships - 5 Tipping a winner is just as difficult in the Under 16s, which has been the most even of the three competitions this season.
Any of the top four teams could have realistically made it to the season decider, but in the Warrack Revengers and Nhill Leopards, the two most consistent teams across the whole season will meet to decide the premier.
Averaging ten goals a game between them when they have met during the season, their encounters have all been high-scoring and entertaining. Both feature several top-age players who tend to dominate the play, but both sides are complemented by younger players capable of stepping up and playing match-winning roles.
The Revengers lead the head-to-head tally this season by two games to one, and for the match they lost, they were missing several key players, with the Leopards taking full advantage for a big result. If both have their best combination available, this is another match too close to call and will be won by the team that overcomes big-game nerves fastest and focuses on playing its best as a team.
Wimmera Hockey Association Awards Presentation Dinner
Following the crowning of the premier teams in the competition during the afternoon, the Association will honour the standout individual performances for the 2026 season at an Awards Presentation function in the Warracknabeal Town Hall in the evening.
The Open, Women’s, Under 16 Girls and Under 16 Boys Best and Fairest players, as voted by the umpires after each match, will be announced, along with the leading goalkeepers and goal scorers, with several Warracknabeal players expected to poll well.
Other official acknowledgements include umpiring and off-field contributions with Encouragement and Recognition awards.
Wimmera Hockey Association - Grand Finals
Anzac Park, Warracknabeal - Saturday 12 September 2026
| 11.00 am | - Under 16 | - Warrack Revengers | v. Nhill Leopards
| | 1.00 pm | - Women | - Yanac Women | v. Kaniva Women
| | 3.00 pm | - Open | - Yanac Tigers | v. Warrack Hoops
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| | 6.30 pm | - Wimmera Hockey Association Annual General Meeting
| | 7.00 | - Awards Presentation Dinner
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