2014 - Round 13 Preview
Round 13
Saturday 19 July 2014
At Yanac
PREVIEW
Pull On Your Socks at Yanac
Yanac Hockey Club will host Wimmera Hockey Association this Saturday with all nine round 13 matches to be played at the fields of Yanac.
Yanac Hockey Club plans to participate in the McGrath Foundation ‘Pull On Your Socks’ campaign running a pink day during the round 13 matches and into the evening. Similar to last week’s campaign run by Horsham, Yanac club teams will each wear pink in support of the campaign. Yanac teams will wear pink socks as well as the McGrath Foundation bright pink playing t-shirts. They will host all nine hockey matches, have children’s activities, hair colour, face painting, McGrath Foundation merchandise available and a photo booth. At the Yanac Public Hall there will be an evening meal from 6.30pm and a variety concert from 8pm. The variety concert will include entertainment by hockey club members, reminiscent of Yanac Flower Show Concert days.
Juniors
Home side Yanac Warriors will play Dimboola Kookaburras in the early match. The Dimboola youngsters will need to work together and try to avoid some of the stronger Warriors including Todd Alexander.
Nhill Leopards and Horsham Bombers should play a good competitive game. Each scored multiple goals although Leopards were in front last encounter.
Warrack Revengers and Kaniva Raiders will play a competitive match. Raiders had a win by two goals last encounter but the Revengers made them work hard for the points.
Dimboola junior team Kangaroos has the bye.
Women
The two top women’s teams will meet this round with Dimboola and Yanac head to head again. Yanac won the first encounter by a goal while the last encounter was a 1-1 draw. This will be a fast game with accurate and big hitting Dimboola versus the clever hardworking Yanac and should be great to watch. Two of the association’s best female players Erin Alexander for Yanac and Elizabeth Klinge for Dimboola will direct the play from their respective centre half back positions.
Horsham Highlanders and Nhill Thunderbirds have played even matches with Highlanders in front by a goal and a draw the result in the previous encounters. Highlanders are still without a few key players and this may turn the tides in favour of Thunderbirds, although Highlanders have had three tough matches against the two top teams in recent weeks and should be more competitive this week.
In the lower order the Kaniva Women play Warrack Women. Warrack’s big hitters last encounter put the pressure on the Kaniva defence although they held up well. Warrack have won by a two-goal margin in the previous two encounters. If Kaniva can get into attack with their new look forwardline they should be able to apply some pressure of their own.
Open
Horsham Hurricanes and Nhill Rangers should enjoy a competitive match. They have drawn once and Hurricanes came out in front last encounter, but it could all come down to what line up each team starts with. Another solid game by Rangers full back Mont Miller could also influence the result.
Yanac Tigers are still unbeaten and that is not likely to change when they play Dimboola Men. The Dimboola side played a strong second half last week against Nhill Rangers scoring several goals but will find a tough opponent in the home side Tigers. Dimboola will need to open up the field of play, use accurate passing and be careful to keep possession if they are to match it with the Tigers who have strength all over the field including consistent centre half back Nathan Alexander directing play.
Although Kaniva Cobras had the lead over Warrack Hoops last time the Warrack side were able to finish off the game scoring two quick goals right at the end to take the win. This should be another strong competitive game with a good display of skills and passing. A win for Warrack would strengthen their hold on second spot on the open ladder while a win for Cobras would sneak them into second spot ahead of the Hoops, with the two teams equal on points and Hoops ahead on goal difference.
- Rachel Clark, WHA Records Secretary 2014
Round 13 Draw
At Yanac
Saturday 19 July 2014
Field 1
9.30am Yanac Warriors vs Dimboola Kookaburras; 11am Nhill Leopards vs Horsham Bombers; 12.30pm Horsham Hurricanes vs Nhill Rangers; 2pm Dimboola Men vs Yanac Tigers; 3.30pm Warrack Hoops vs Kaniva Cobras.
Field 2
11am Dimboola Women vs Yanac Women; 12.30pm Warrack Revengers vs Kaniva Raiders; 2pm Kaniva Women vs Warrack Women; 3.30pm Horsham Highlanders vs Nhill Thunderbirds.
Hook in 2 Hockey: 12.30pm on the junior field
Bye: Dimboola Kangaroos