Spectators were treated to six high quality games of hockey when the Wimmera Hockey Association semi finals were played on the turf at the Dimboola Health and Fitness Centre on Saturday.
The minor premiers in all of the Open, Women's and Under 16 divisions have won their way through to the grand finals, and three enthralling preliminary finals have been set up for next weekend to decide which opponents will challenge for the premierships.
Above - Dimboola Roos' captain Elizabeth Klinge leads her team onto the field before their semi final against the Yanac Women, wearing the club's new uniform which was worn for the first time on Saturday.
Under 16s First Semi Final - Kaniva Raiders v Dimboola Kangaroos
Despite only qualifying for the finals with some favourable results in the last round, the Dimboola Kangaroos took on the Kaniva Raiders, the four times reigning premiers, with confidence on their home ground.
Although the final score line of six goals to one suggests that the Raiders dominated the game, the Kangaroos were not disgraced as they fought the game out to the finish and made their opponents earn every goal.
Raiders' centre half back, Luke Shalders, was forced to leave the ground with fifteen minutes of play remaining after being struck on the knee with the ball, but this was not before he had scored three goals and done enough to be named best on the ground. His team mates Tyson Mitchell, Ariel Martin and Nadia White also played well.
For the Kangaroos, Rebekah Albrecht fought hard all game both in defence and in the mid field and Bradley Walker played well on the forward line. Ruby Simpson tried hard all game at centre forward and Jessica Revell was solid at full back.
Under 16 Second Semi Final - Nhill Leopards v Warrack Revengers
The Nhill Leopards confirmed their favouritism for the Under 16 division premiership when they outlasted a determined Warrack Revengers team in the second semi final.
Two goals for the Leopards in the first seven minutes of play to Blake Miller and Elle Murden put the pressure on the Revengers but they responded confidently with goals to Lachlan Hickes and Sandon Schultz within the next eight minutes.
With the game tied going into the second half it was Miller who was able to break through the Revengers' defence to give his team the lead. This proved to be enough as both teams tired and it became easier for the Leopards to defend this lead than for the Revengers to breach the defence and level the scores.
Emily Koop dominated the midfield for the Leopards and the protection of their slender winning margin was made easier by some splendid goal keeping by Jake Murden.
For the Revengers' Schultz continued his good individual form this season by being nominated as their best player along with midfielder Oskar Bennett and defenders Jasmine Bull and Hicks.
Women's First Semi Final - Horsham Jets v Nhill Thunderbirds
It became obvious very early in the season that there was a significant gap between the top three and bottom three teams in the Women's competition. There was quite a battle for the last place in the finals but form throughout the season suggested that this last team could just be "making up the numbers' in the finals.
Despite missing a couple of regular players, the Thunderbirds approached the game with a "nothing to lose' attitude and put on a top display of hockey.
The Horsham Jets dominated early and Ellie Morrow was able to score only two minutes into the game to give them the lead, but from then on it was a very even game with the Thunderbirds matching everything that the more fancied Jets could throw at them.
Mid way through the second half a goal by Kellie Farquharson equalled the scores, but Robyn Creek put the Jets back in front seven minutes later.
The Thunderbirds maintained the pressure until the last whistle but were unable to score again. They did however prove that they deserved their place in the semi finals.
Midfielders Morrow, Launa Schilling and Creek shone for the Jets and forwards Farquharson, Grace McLeod and Ameilia Rintoule excelled for the Thunderbirds.
Women's Second Semi Final - Yanac Women v Dimboola Roos
The Yanac Women played their usual clinical game plan to overcome a flat Dimboola Roos in the second semi final on Saturday afternoon. Two converted short corners by Louise Bone and a field goal by Jess Monteath had the Yanac team three goals ahead by half time.
The Roos tried hard in the second half but they could not find any weaknesses in the Yanac defence until Brooke McMaster was able to get the Roos on the score board with only five minutes of play remaining. This goal sparked the team into life but it was too late in the game for them to reign in the lead.
With her two goals and some good strong play in the midfield, Bone was voted as Yanac's best player along with Sophie Pipkorn at fullback and Erin Alexander in the midfield.
For the Roos, Jennifer Klinge and McMaster excelled on the forward line and Vicki Smithyman was dependable in the midfield.
Open First Semi Final - Dimboola Burras v Kaniva Cobras
The Kaniva Cobras' finals curse continues after they were outplayed by the Dimboola Burras in the Open division first semi final and went down by a margin of three goals.
The Burras combined well as a team from early in the game and had scored two goals by half time which they followed up with another two after the break, and they finished the game with four individual goal scorers. Lachie Mills was the only Kaniva player to find the goals but this was not enough to spur on his team.
A sign that the Burras dominated the midfield was that centre half back Talor Dent was named best along with Beau Lovett at centre forward and Jarryd Williams at half back. Full back Caleb Halsall also earned a vote with some solid defence.
Clint Beattie and David Cole from the Burras' forward line were the standout choice for their teams' better players along with Duncan Shalders and goalkeeper Matthew Wallis from the backline.
Open Second Semi Final - Yanac Tigers v Warrack Hoops
Once again the perennial finalists Yanac Tigers and the Warrack Hoops put on an enthralling display of hockey which started at a very fast pace and did not slow down for the entire game. Both teams showed good stick skills and team work and created many opportunities to put pressure on their opponent's defenders.
After 50 minutes of tough play it was Hoops nemesis, Kim Croot, who once again proved to be the difference between these teams in a final when he converted a short corner twenty minutes into the second half.
After scoring, the Tigers turned up their defensive pressure and whilst the Hoops rose to the challenge and frequently moved the ball into attack, they were unable to find the goals.
The better players for the Tigers included forwards Bradley and Todd Alexander and Simon Farmers, and goalkeeper Craig Magrath whose tireless work was instrumental in preventing the Hoops from scoring.
For the Hoops, midfielder Marcus Williamson, defenders Stephen Laverty and Will Hewitt, and forward Royce Bennett were judged the best.
Preliminary Finals Preview
The preliminary finals will be played at Kaniva next Saturday and three evenly matched contests are anticipated.
All three games will include one team that has earned their place with consistent results throughout the season, and one that has done so with good late season form.
Under 16s - Warrack Revengers v Kaniva Raiders
The Warrack Revengers has been the only team to seriously challenge the dominance of the Nhill Leopards this season, having defeated them once and shared top spot on the ladder with them for two weeks.
They did not win as many games in the second half of the season as their earlier form may have indicated they should have but there was no doubt that they deserved to finish the preliminary rounds in second place.
Despite being the four-time reigning premiers, the Kaniva Raiders have lost a number of players over recent seasons and whilst they have earned the right to be in the top three, they have not yet really challenged either of the top teams.
The Revengers will rely upon Sandon Schultz, Lachlan Klemm and Oskar Bennett to lead from the front and the state of Luke Shalders knee, which was struck by a ball during their semi final, will be a significant worry for the Raiders. If fit, Shalders will be a pivotal player but Tyson Mitchell, Arial Martin and Jemima Bothe will also be players to watch.
In what will be the first of three very close games for the day, the Warrack Revengers should be able to take control of the midfield which will be essential to win the match.
Women - Dimboola Roos v Horsham Jets
The Horsham Jets spent most of the season in the top two and it was only in the last couple of rounds that they relinquished second place to an inform Dimboola Roos.
If the Roos can regain this good form that deserted them last week, they should have the power to overcome the experience of the Jets.
Dimboola's Elizabeth Klinge missed the start of the season through injury and rarely plays two unexceptional games in a row and her sister Jennifer has been in top form all season. Along with Brooke McMaster in the forward line, they have the ability to register a winning score. Reliable defender Vicki Smithyman and goal keeper Cassie Withers will be key players in stopping the Jets forwards.
Consistent forward Ellie Morrow will lead the Jets' attack and Launa Schilling will need to control the midfield if they are to counter the Roos' attacking power.
It would be a brave tipster to predict anything other than a one goal victory to either team, but if the Roos can rediscover their form from the last couple of home and away rounds, they should be the team to finish ahead.
Open - Warrack Hoops v Dimboola Burras
The Hoops have shown consistency this season but he Burras have the recent better form, having overcome the Hoops two weeks ago on the turf at Dimboola.
Both teams will go into the preliminary final with subtle but significant differences from the teams that met in round 15, and also considering that it is being played on a neutral ground it will be a totally different game.
Paul Slater, Marcus Williamson and Royce Bennett will be important players on the Hoops' forward line, whilst reliable Stephen Laverty and Will Hewitt form a formidable back line. Against this will be the speed of Tim Jorgensen and power of Zach Slater-Collard in attack for the Burras' and Talor Dent and Caleb Halsall will be hard to get past in defence.
It is difficult to predict a winner in this game as both teams have what it takes to win, but the Hoops' depth of finals experience is one factor that might swing the game in their favour.
Preliminary Finals Fixture - next Saturday at Kaniva
| 11.00 am | Under 16s | Warrack Revengers v. Kaniva Raiders
| | 1.00 pm | Women | Dimboola Roos v. Horsham Jets
| | 3.00 pm | Open | Warrack Hoops v. Dimboola Burras
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Semi Final Results
Under 16s
1st Semi Final
Kaniva Raiders 2 (Goals - L Shalders 3, J Bothe, N White; Best - L Shalders, T Mitchell, A Martin, N White) d. Dimboola Kangaroos 1 (Goal - T Krelle; Best - B Albrecht, B Walker, J Revell, R Simpson)
2nd Semi Final
Nhill Leopards 3 (Goals - B Miller 2, E Murden; Best - E Koop, J Murden, E Murden, B Miller) d. Warrack Revengers 2 (Goals - L Hicks, S Schultz; Best - S Schultz, O Bennett, L Hicks, J Bull)
Women
1st Semi Final
Horsham Jets 2 (Goals - E Morrow, R Creek; Best - E Morrow, L Schilling, R Creek) d. Nhill Thunderbirds 1 (Goal- E Farquharson; Best - E Farquharson, G McLeod, A Rintoule)
2nd Semi Final
Yanac Women 3 (Goals - L Bone 2, J Monteath; Best - L Bone, S Pipkorn, E Alexander) d. Dimboola Roos 1 (Goal - B McMaster; Best - J Klinge, B McMaster, V Smithyman)
Open
1st Semi Final
Dimboola Burras 4 (Goals - T Dent, J Williams, Z Slater-Collard, B Lovett; Best - T Dent, B Lovett, C Halsall, J Williams) d. Kaniva Cobras 1 (Goal - L Mills; Best - C Beattie, D Cole, M Wallis, D Shalders)
2nd Semi Final
Yanac Tigers 1 (Goal - K Croot; Best - B Alexander, T Alexander, S Farmers, C Magrath) d. Warrack Hoops 0 (Best - M Williamson, W Hewitt, S Laverty, R Bennett)
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