Hockey
17 July, 2024
Hockey set to ignite at Anzac Park
For the next round of the Wimmera hockey season, the teams will assemble at Anzac Park in Warracknabeal on Saturday to mark the point in the season when each opponent has been played twice, giving an accurate indication of where each team stands, and while several across the three competitions have already done enough to qualify for the finals, some still have plenty to do over the remaining six rounds if they are to extend their season.
Open
Two big games highlight this round in the Open competition, and any combination of results will have significant ramifications on the participant’s prospects for the finals.
The Warrack Hoops and Horsham Hurricanes, the two defeated teams from the last round, clash with the opportunity to return to the winners list, and the Nhill Rangers, fresh off their first win in twelve months, take on the Kaniva Cobras, who may be a little out of practice having not played for a couple of weeks.
With the Hoops unexpected loss last round making them vulnerable to slipping from second place on the ladder and the Rangers’ win putting pressure on the Hurricanes to stay in the top four, this is a must-win match for both teams.
In the other game, the Rangers will be full of confidence after their last result, while the Cobras might take a while to get back into competition mode after their extended break, which could also make this an entertaining game. A Rangers win could put them on the cusp of breaking into the top four, while a Cobras victory could see them vie for second place if the Hoops were to falter.
Regardless of the outcomes of these games, the Tigers cannot be deposed from the top of the ladder despite enjoying the weekend off with the bye.
Women
The Women’s round will be just as pivotal, with the results of all three games having wide- reaching implications.
Kaniva had a comfortable win over the Roos last week, but they take on the Nhill Thunderbirds, who are coming off a confidence-boosting win. Every game from now on will be a must-win for the ‘Birds if they are to maintain their challenge for the finals, but their respective season records suggest that Kaniva will go in as favourites, but they will have to work hard to earn the points.
The Dimboola Roos have been impressive in their return to the competition this season, but this week, they face Yanac, who has carried on the form that saw them win the premiership last year. Although this should be an evenly matched game, Yanac’s recent record suggests they will have the edge.
If the Horsham Jets can get their best team on the field, and they all play at their best, they should have little trouble against the winless Warracknabeal, but with the home team almost out of contention for the finals, they have nothing to lose, and if Horsham doesn’t have their A team available, this one could go either way.
Under 16
The meeting of the Kaniva Raiders and Nhill Leopards will headline the round in the Under 16 competition. The Raiders are still eyeing off top spot on the ladder but will have to keep winning if they are to challenge the Warriors, while the third-placed Leopards need to put in some good results against the teams above them to gain confidence for the finals.
The young Dimboola Kangaroos are gaining experience with every match but will find the ladder-leading Yanac Warriors a challenge, particularly if all the Warriors are playing at their best, and the Warracknabeal Revengers could mount a serious challenge against the Horsham Bombers, who although currently in fourth place, they have been inconsistent this year, and with their best team should enhance their claim to a place in the finals, but if missing several key players are vulnerable to dropping this one.