Round 15 Preview

Time changes for Wimmera hockey matches this weekend for Rules Session
Wimmera Hockey Association’s nine round fifteen matches will be played at Warracknabeal’s Anzac Park this Saturday, with a Rules Session a feature of the day, although with three rounds to go there are some finals positions still available in each of the three divisions which should make for some hot hockey action and plenty of skills will be on show.
In the women’s competition the final four could still change if Kaniva gets back on top of Yanac. The men’s top four could change order dramatically if Hoops were knocked out of second spot and Nhill are still a possibility to jump into the top four. The junior top four are all but set with Kangaroos, Leopards, Warriors and Raiders, although the enviable top two spots are still up for grabs.
The Rules Session this Saturday will be the second for the season, following up on the well-attended session held at Nhill during round four. The times of all round fifteen games have also been altered to accommodate the Rules Session to be held in the middle part of the day.
Regional Umpires Coach for Hockey Victoria Charlie Martin and Mark Frost will be in attendance for the session, as well as during the day for umpire instruction.
The hockey association would like to emphasise the importance of such sessions for the future of country hockey, and have altered the game times so there will again be no matches being played at the time of the session, so that everyone is free to attend.
Everyone including players, umpires, coaches, parents and interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend, especially those who missed the session earlier in the season.
Matches will therefore start from 9am with home junior side Revengers playing Raiders.
At 10.30am Warriors play Kookaburras, and top two junior teams Kangaroos and Leopards will meet at the same time. If Warriors win and Leopards lose then Warriors will jump into second spot on the junior ladder ahead of Leopards. Warriors likely will win their match against the weaker side Kookaburras, but it could be a close match between Kangaroos and Leopards.
The Rules Session will take place from 12 noon till 1pm at the Warracknabeal venue.
At 1pm Yanac Women will have a tough match against Highlanders. At the same time it will be a tight match between Warrack Women and Dimboola Women.
Matches at 2.30pm will be Thunderbirds and Kaniva Women, with a good showdown between Nhill Men and Kaniva Men. Kaniva Women and Nhill Men will both need to win their matches if they want a chance to play finals this season. At the same time Kaniva Men would do well to take the points to help secure their spot in finals.
A slightly late start at 4pm will see Tigers strong against Hurricanes, while Hoops should have the advantage over Dimboola Men. With three rounds to go the results of these two matches could be crucial to the final men’s ladder. An upset result in either match, although not likely, could be the difference for Hoops and Hurricanes in getting a spot in the top two and a second chance come finals time.
Junior team Bombers has the bye.
Note: For this Saturday’s matches players and families are asked to not use the usual carpark off Scott Street (main street). Instead please use the alternate entrances to the park.
- Rachel Clark