Round 16 Preview

Kaniva and Yanac women do battle for finals berth
Kaniva and Yanac women’s teams will do battle for a finals berth when they meet this Saturday in Wimmera Hockey Association’s round 16 at Horsham.
It is an important match for both sides with the winner likely to take the fourth spot in the finals. Kaniva is currently in fourth spot after claiming the four points last week, benefiting from a forfeit. Kaniva is only four points ahead of Yanac. Yanac’s six-goal loss last week brought the goal difference between the two teams to only one goal with Yanac the slight advantage. With the final match next week, which statistically Yanac is likely to win against Thunderbirds and Kaniva is likely to lose against Dimboola Women, their match this week could well be the decider of which team will play finals this season.
If there is a draw this week, Kaniva Women would have to at least draw against Dimboola next week to be assured of a finals berth. That may be a tough ask.
Kaniva and Yanac women’s teams have met twice this season, drawing 0-0 in round two and Yanac the upper hand in round 12 winning a close 2-1. Yanac have been strengthening as the season wears on may have the upper hand this week, but whatever the outcome it will be a great match of hockey.
With only one round to go after this match, whichever team wins this week may prove to be the more deserving team to play in the finals series.
Highlanders, Dimboola Women and Warrack Women have already secured their places in finals.
This week Dimboola will meet Highlanders who they will be likely to play in the semi finals. There will be some hot hockey in this match.
Warrack will meet Nhill Thunderbirds.
Although the top four teams on the junior ladder are set their positions could still alter this week. Warriors and Leopards are tied on points but Warriors have a goal difference advantage of four goals placing them second and Leopards third. Warriors play Raiders this week and this could be a close match. Warriors will have the fire behind them with a lot at stake at this stage of the season.
Leopards play Revengers who had a good win last week over Raiders and should be on fire again. It may not be enough to combat Leopards who have been consistent this year and will be looking to reclaim their top two spot on the ladder.
In the other junior match, Bombers will have a hard task against the top team Kangaroos.
In the men’s competition the final four positions are unlikely to change now with Tigers on top, Hoops, Hurricanes and Kaniva Men in the top four. Matches will nevertheless still be fast and furious with Kaniva Men taking on Tigers, Nhill Men playing Hoops and Dimboola Men something to prove when they play Hurricanes.
Junior side Kookaburras has the bye.
- Rachel Clark