Hockey
24 April, 2025
Friday night lights open season
Wimmera Hockey Association's season hits off this weekend with two matches under lights at Dimboola on Friday evening and the remainder of the round on Saturday.
Very little news has leaked concerning any major pre-season recruiting moves, so mystery still surrounds many first-round match-ups.
With no recent form line, all eyes will be on the reigning premiers – particularly in the senior competitions – to set the pace.
The unavoidable loss of top-age players from the under 16 competition as they graduate to the senior ranks, can lead to significant shifts in teams’ fortunes from one season to the next, so it could be several rounds before the pecking order in the under 16 competition becomes clear.
Although there are no grand final rematches this weekend (the first of these will be in round two), there are still some intriguing games to start the season.
The season opens on Friday evening with Dimboola playing Kaniva in both the under 16 and women’s divisions, and based on last year’s form, the Kaniva Raiders should be too strong for the Dimboola Kangaroos in the opening under 16 game.
The clash between Kaniva – reigning premiers in the Women’s division – and the Dimboola Roos could prove to be the match of the round.
If some rumoured off-season recruiting proves to be correct, the Roos have the potential to seriously challenge the dominant two teams from last season and have a real chance to put the first dent in Kaniva’s title defence.
In the matches on Saturday morning, the two under 16 grand finalists from last season, the Yanac Warriors and Nhill Leopards, should open their seasons positively when they take on the Horsham Bombers and Warrack Revengers respectively.
The afternoon matches may not be a good indication of the strengths of the combatants, with both Warracknabeal senior teams depleted due to another function on that day.
This allows them to test the depth of their squads and for their Nhill opponents to make a strong start.
The Nhill Rangers have not enjoyed much success in recent seasons but their improvement has been significant and they will fancy their chances against the Warrack Hoops, last year’s grand finalists, who may only have half of the players who took on the Tigers in the season decider last year.
The Yanac Tigers will be looking to extend their phenomenal record, having not lost a match since the 2019 semi-finals, when they start their 2025 season against the Horsham Hurricanes.
The Horsham team held the reigning premiers to a draw early last season – one of only two teams to get that close in the past five years – but will have to play at its best if it's to match or improve on that result.
The Horsham Jets narrowly missed qualifying for the women’s grand final last year and should give Yanac, last year’s runner-up, a good run in a match that could go either way, and while Warrack Women and the Nhill Thunderbirds both missed finals action last year their match on Saturday evening will be an excellent chance for both to start their 2025 campaigns on the right foot.
The next generation of hockey players will also enjoy time on the pitch, with the development program in its usual time slot of 12.30pm.
Wimmera Hockey Association – round 1 at Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre
Friday April 26:
6.30pm: under 16 – Kaniva Raiders v Dimboola Kangaroos
8.00pm: women – Kaniva Women v Dimboola Roos
Saturday April 27"
9.30am: under 16 – Yanac Warriors v Horsham Bombers
1pm: under 16 – Warrack Revengers v Nhill Leopards
2.30pm: development program – Kaniva Rampagers v Dimboola Kookaburras, Yanac Lowan Stars v Horsham Black Hawks, Warrack Avengers v Nhill Bandits
1.30pm: open – Warrack Hoops v Nhill Rangers
3.00pm: open – Yanac Tigers v Horsham Hurricanes
4.30pm: women – Yanac Women v Horsham Jets
6pm: women – Warrack Women v Nhill Thunderbirds