Hockey
29 May, 2026
Hockey rivals chase top spot
This weekend marks the point in the Wimmera hockey season after which each opponent will have been played once, giving the best indication of where each sits within their division, but to reach this point, several significant matches need to be decided.
The Open competition will feature two big games, with the top two teams facing off under the lights on Saturday evening, after the bottom two play each other in search of their first win of the season.
The Yanac Tigers are undefeated on top of the ladder with fourteen points, and the Warrack Hoops are just two points behind, with the winner on Saturday set to finish the round on top.
This should be a top encounter, but recent form suggests the Tigers will continue their undefeated run, though they will still need to play at their best to stay ahead of the team that has most regularly challenged their dominance
over the last two decades.
In the other game, featuring the Nhill Rangers and Horsham Hurricanes, the prize for the winner a place in the top four.
Both are yet to record a win in 2026 but have still been very competitive against higher-ranked opponents, so this should also be an entertaining matchup which could kick-start the season of one of the combatants.
The Kaniva Cobras will receive two points for the bye, which will see them finish the round in third place.
Women
The Women’s division match with the most on the line will see the Nhill Thunderbirds and Horsham Jets play to stay in touch with the leaders.
Currently sitting in fourth and fifth places respectively but on the same points, the victorious team will find themselves in fourth place by Saturday evening, while the pressure to remain a force in the premiership race begins to rise for the other.
In the other matches, the Dimboola Roos will defend their undefeated status when they take on Kaniva, who are just two points behind and capable of mounting a serious challenge.
Kaniva could inflict the Roos' first loss, which would see them move ahead of their opponent on the ladder, and in the last game Warracknabeal face the daunting task of playing the undefeated Yanac.
Under 16s
The highlight in this grade is the top-of-the-table clash between the Yanac Warriors and Warrack Revengers, who are both coming off good performances last week, but the battle for fourth place between the Dimboola Kangaroos and Kaniva Raiders on Friday evening will be just as exciting if they can both field their strongest teams.
These teams currently sit fourth and fifth, so the winner will end the round inside the top four.
On Saturday morning, the Horsham Bombers, who have been competitive but are yet to win a game this year, will struggle to open their account against the Nhill Leopards, who are coming off a high-scoring loss to the Revengers last week.