Round 8 Preview

First matches at Warracknabeal for hockey season
Warracknabeal will host its first matches this season with all nine games to be played at Anzac Park in this Saturday’s round eight of Wimmera hockey.
Dry conditions have forced changes of venues for recent rounds but this week the Warracknabeal fields have been cleared for play.
Bright and early from 9.30am home side Revengers will have a tough match against Kangaroos.
Kookaburras goalie Kobi Villis is proving to be a valuable player limiting goal numbers against the inexperienced team. Villis scored best in the team’s defeat last week and will make Raiders goal scorers Braden Clark and Kendal Meyer think about their attack. At the other end, Raiders full back Tim Eastwood has been in top form the last two weeks and will help slow any Kookaburras advance.
Leopards have capable players spanning the length of the field, scoring through different players each week and several players featuring in the best. Warriors have several talented youngsters but this week will rely on the experience of Erin Blackwood and will look to Nathan and Bradley Alexander and Sam Bone to come up with some goals if they are to combat Leopards.
Highlanders are in top form this season, winning all their games so far and considering Thunderbirds’ recent lagging form should be able to keep the run going.
Dimboola Women will be kept busy but should come out in front of Yanac Women, although Sheree May and Sarah Coughlan will work hard against that outcome.
Linley Arnold-Wardle and Jenny Gaulke have been consistent for Warrack pushing into attack and will make life difficult for the Kaniva Women. Kaniva’s Claire McDonald and Claire Riches have been strong in defence and this should be a good game to watch.
Men’s results should be intriguing following last week’s upset losses to the two top teams and it will be interesting to see how the teams rebound. Nhill Men enjoyed a close win over Hoops last week and will face an even matchup with Hurricanes this week.
Kaniva Men will face Hoops this week, who will give them another tough match.
Tigers will be looking to make up for last week’s loss to Kaniva when they play Dimboola Men. The Dimboola side is young and fast, if not as experienced as Tigers.
Junior side Bombers has a bye.
- Rachel Clark