Hockey
25 July, 2025
Finals hopes on the line
The finals prospects of several teams will be on the line when they take to the field for round eleven of the Wimmera hockey season at Davis Park in Nhill on Saturday.
The biggest matchup will see the two Under 16 teams vying for fourth place on the ladder go head-to-head in a game that could decide which claims the last place in the finals, while all three games in the Women’s competition could have far-reaching consequences for several teams and the rank in which they enter the finals.
In the Open competition, the top two teams face off against the bottom two, but both matches are still expected to be entertaining.
The Yanac Tigers deserve their place at the top of the ladder, and the inconsistent form of the Horsham Hurricanes will not fill their supporters with confidence that they can knock off the leaders; however, they still need to put in a good performance if they are to build their confidence as the finals approach.
The match-up of the Warrack Hoops and Nhill Rangers should be a close game with the Rangers still chasing their first win for the season, so the Hoops will have to take them seriously if they are to firm their grip on second place on the ladder.
The Kaniva Cobras have the week off with the bye, but they will be keenly watching, as a Hoops’ loss keeps them in with a chance of claiming second place.
The fourth place on the Women’s ladder is still undecided, with the Nhill Thunderbirds and Horsham Jets battling to claim it, and every game involving either of these teams over the next few rounds is important.
The Thunderbirds can gain the advantage this week when they take on the winless Warracknabeal, while the Jets have their work cut out for them when they face the undefeated Yanac.
If the results of these games reflect current ladder positions, the ‘Birds will move four points ahead of the Jets, a margin that will be difficult for the Horsham team to claw back in the ensuing four games.
The closest Women’s match of the round will see the second-placed Dimboola Roos play Kaniva.
Currently, only four points separate these teams, so a Dimboola victory would see them increase this margin to eight points, which would almost ensure they finish the regular season in second place, but a Kaniva win would draw these teams equal on points, with only goal difference separating them, which would set up some big games over the last four rounds.
The biggest matchup for the weekend will see the two teams fighting it out for the last place in the Under 16 finals, the Dimboola Kangaroos and Kaniva Raiders meet.
The winner of this game will create a four-point buffer over the other, which will be difficult for the vanquished to claw back in the remaining four rounds. Both have a similar recent form line, making this a difficult match to predict a winner.
Despite their first loss for the season last weekend, the Yanac Warriors should be too strong for the winless Horsham Bombers, and while the Warrack Revengers will challenge the Nhill Leopards, the home team should be too strong and keep hold of the top place on the ladder.