Hockey
1 August, 2025
Hockey heads to Dimboola
After battling challenging damp conditions at Nhill last Saturday, Wimmera hockey players will need to quickly adjust their game plans as they take to the artificial surface at Dimboola this weekend for the next step towards the finals.
Open
The top four teams in the open competition will be in action, and with first and fourth places already decided, all interest is on who will earn the crucial second chance in the finals.
The Kaniva Cobras, albeit fresh off the bye and needing a win to challenge for second place, will find the task of tackling the undefeated Yanac Tigers overwhelming, but the Warrack Hoops versus Horsham Hurricanes in the evening match could go either way.
Both of these teams excel on this surface, so anyone who stays to watch will witness a top encounter where the Hoops can secure second place with a win.
At the same time, the Hurricanes need to rediscover their best form after a couple of mediocre performances to build confidence as the finals approach.
The Nhill Rangers, who have the bye this week.
Women
Two in-form teams will open the round in the women’s competition this evening when the home team hosts the Nhill Thunderbirds.
Both could use a win to help keep them in their current positions on the ladder, with the Dimboola Roos close to securing second place going into the finals, while a win for the Thunderbirds would relieve the pressure on themselves to hold onto fourth place.
The rivalry between Yanac and Kaniva has been building over recent years after meeting in three of the last four grand finals.
Yanac has looked impressive so far this season, and although they should be able to maintain their undefeated record, they will have to work hard for the win.
When the two lowest-ranked teams meet on Saturday afternoon, there will still be plenty to play for.
The Horsham Jets’ chances of playing finals are quickly slipping away, and they must win this one to have any chance of reclaiming fourth place.
Their opponent, Warracknabeal, has not yet won a game this year, but their mix of inexperienced and young players is starting to gel with their old hands, and if they can field their best team this week, a maiden win in 2025 this week would not be considered a major upset.
Under 16
Interest continues in who will claim the last two places in the under-16 finals, and all three games this week will contribute another piece to the puzzle.
As the team currently in fifth place, the Dimboola Kangaroos have the most work to do if they are to make the finals, but will find the Nhill Leopards too much of a challenge on Friday evening.
However, the team just above them in fourth, the Kaniva Raiders, have an equally difficult task when they play the Yanac Warriors on Saturday morning.
The Leopards and Warriors have dominated this division, having lost only one game each, to each other, and they should both end the round with another win each.
If the third-placed Warrack Revengers can deny the Horsham Bombers their first win for the season, they will firm their grip on that ladder position and feel a bit more confident that they will play in the finals.