Another chapter was written for one of the Wimmera’s longest-running sporting dynasties with the Yanac Tigers winning their twenty-first premiership in the thirty-five seasons of the competition, defeating long-time rival, the Warrack Hoops.

The Tigers started strongly, with Todd Alexander converting a penalty corner midway through the first quarter to put the reigning premiers in the lead, and in a worrying sign for the challengers, their key midfielder Tim Jorgensen left the field minutes later, struggling with a hamstring injury.

A second goal just before quarter time, when Raine Mackley got onto a pass from Brad Alexander, saw the Tigers hold a comfortable lead at the first break.

Although the Tigers continued to control much of the play in the second quarter, the Hoops’ game picked up with some solid defence, preventing any further scoring again before halftime, and this continued into the third quarter, with the Hoops taking the challenge up to the Tigers, but they couldn’t breach the leader’s defence.

The Tigers took a firm grip on the title when Rourkey Croot, who would be later selected as the Player of the Match, scored their third goal late in the quarter.

The momentum of the last quarter was halted when a player was stuck by the ball, but after a brief delay, the game continued with the Hoops fighting desperately to get onto the scoreboard. They fought the game out to the end but could not reduce the deficit, and the game finished as a three-goal victory for the Tigers.

Along with Rourke Croot, Todd Alexander and veteran Kim Croot were selected as the premiers’ best players, and the Hoops’ consistent captain Sandon Schultz, Jayden Smith, and reliable defender Caleb Baldock were the runner-up’s best.

This extends the Tigers’ current streak to eight consecutive grand final victories, plus one minor premiership title in the Covid-interrupted 2021 season, while the Hoops, who boast the next-best record in the competition, remain on five premierships from seventeen season deciders against the Tigers.

– Open –

Yanac Tigers 3 (Goals – Todd Alexander, Rourkey Croot, Raine Mackley; Best – Rourkey Croot, Todd Alexander, Kim Croot) defeated Warrack Hoops (Best – Sandon Schultz, Jayden Smith, Caleb Baldock)

Best on Ground – “Life Members’ Medal” – Rourkey Croot (Yanac Tigers).

– Under 16 –

The leading two teams in the Under 16 competition set the standard for the day with a remarkable display of hockey skills and teamwork, which shows great potential for the growth of the competition as these players progress to the senior ranks over the coming seasons.

The younger Leopards started strongly and were the first on the scoreboard when Oliver Bone found the goals from a penalty corner in the second quarter.

In a competitive third quarter, the Warriors slowly began to take control with goals to Nathan Pedie and Sean Pedie to take the lead at the last break, but only by one goal.

The scores were again tied early in the last quarter when Oliver Bone scored his second goal, but goals to Yanac’s Henry Zanker and then Archie Zanker saw them move back into the lead several minutes later. A second score for the match by Nathan Pedie gave the Warriors a three-goal lead with five minutes of play remaining. A late goal to the Leopard’s captain, Deegan Clark, reduced the margin back to two goals with several minutes to play, but despite their best efforts, they could not score again, and the Warriors finished with the win.

Archie Zanker topped off an excellent personal season with the Peter Colbert medal as the Best on the Ground, while Henry Zanker and Nathan Pedie also made significant contributions and regular leaders in the Leopards team, Deegan Clark, Oliver Bone, and Thar Shu Bee stood out.

“You are only as good as your weakest player” summed up this game, as it was not just dominated by the top-age players on both sides, but many of the younger ones also made a significant impact on the game.

This was the Warriors’ sixth title since 2018, and while this was the Leopard’s first grand final appearance in that time, their keen young squad has the potential to make their mark over the next few seasons.

Yanac Warriors 5 (Goals – Nathan Pedie 2, Henry Zanker, Archie Zanker, Sean Pedie; Best – Archie Zanker, Henry Zanker, Nathan Pedie) defeated Nhill Leopards 3 (Goals – Oliver Bone 2, Deegan Clark; Best – Deegan Clark, Oliver Bone, Thar Shue Bee)

Best on Ground – “Peter Colbert Meda” – Archie Zanker (Yanac Warriors)

This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 18 September 2024.