A close look over the head-to-head records and overall performances of the six teams that will take to the Kaniva field on Saturday for the Wimmera hockey preliminary finals suggests an intriguing round of matches to finalise the lineups for the grand finals the following week.

All six teams have a realistic chance of winning their games, where no combination of results could be considered an upset.

- Open - Warrack Hoops v. Horsham Hurricanes
Head-to-head this season -

Round 5 @ Kaniva - Hoops 2 defeated Hurricanes 0
Round 10 @ Warrack - Hoops 4 defeated Hurricanes 0
Round 15 @ Dimboola - Hoops 1 defeated Hurricanes 0
Although the Hurricanes are yet to defeat the Hoops this season, there is no certainty that trend will continue as they have shown significant improvement towards the end of the season and the Hoops have not consistently played at their best over recent weeks.

The Hoops finished the regular season with six wins compared to the Hurricanes’ two which suggests that the Warracknabeal side deserves to be slight favourites, but that will mean nothing on Saturday afternoon when the first whistle sounds. At that point, it will be up to the combination of players each can put on the field and how they play together on the day.

The Hoops have experience in the big games, having played in thirteen of the seventeen grand finals since the competition resumed in the mid-2000s, and would dearly love another crack at the Tigers in a season-decider, while the Hurricanes have only played in two grade finals in that time, and this is their best chance since 2008 to play in another.

- Women - Kaniva v. Horsham Jets
Head-to-head this season -

Round 2 @ Warrack - Jets 0 drew with Kaniva 0
Round 6 @ Horsham - Jets 2 defeated Kaniva 0
Round 11 @ Yanac - Jets 1 defeated Kaniva 0
While Kaniva comfortably finished the regular in second place, and the Jets only confirmed fourth place on the ladder at the end of the last round, this should still be a top encounter as the head-to-head record indicates that the Jets go in with the advantage.

Over the fifteen rounds of the season, Kaniva looked to be the better of the two, playing the more consistent hockey, but the Jets will focus more on their perfect record against this opponent in 2024, making this game very difficult to predict, although on their home ground, Kaniva should have a slight edge.

- Under 16 - Kaniva Raiders v. Nhill Leopards
Head-to-head this season -

Round 5 @ Kaniva - Raiders 2 defeated Leopards 0
Round 10 @ Warrack - Raiders 1 defeated Leopards 0
Round 15 @ Dimboola - Leopards 1 defeated Raiders 0
The Kaniva Raiders spent the season challenging the Yanac Warriors for the top place on the ladder, and the Leopards were always just a step behind the top two, but as their head-to-head record shows, they are quite capable of challenging Kaniva.

As is often the case in underage competitions, it will be the number, skill and experience of the top-age players that will give one team the edge, and on paper, Kaniva would appear to hold this edge, but their entire squad will have to have still to bring their A-game if they are to ensure they earn another game the following week.


Wimmera Hockey Association - Preliminary Final Fixture

Kaniva Recreation Reserve – Saturday, 7 September, 2024

11.00 am- Under 16- Kaniva Raiders v. Nhill Leopards
1.00 pm- Women- Kaniva v. Horsham Jets
3.00 pm- Open- Warrack Hoops v. Horsham Hurricanes