Wimmera Hockey Association concluded its 2024 season with grand finals and an awards night, recognising the top teams and individual players of the year.

Yanac Tigers were crowned champions of the open competition after defeating Warracknabeal Hoops 3-0, with Kaniva winning the women’s grand final 2-1 over Yanac and Yanac Warriors completing a perfect season by winning the under-16 grand final 5-3 against Nhill Leopards.

At the presentation night following the grand finals, Kaniva Cobras’ Lachlan Mills took out the Aitken-Findlay Award as the open competition’s best and fairest player on 45 votes, well ahead of joint runners-up Shaun Alexander of Yanac Tigers and Tim Jorgensen of Warracknabeal Hoops, who polled 24 each.

It was Mills’ second Aitken-Findlay Award, which he also won in 2019.

Open goalkeeper of the year was Kayden Rowe of Nhill Rangers, with Yanac Tigers’ Rourkey Crook named best on ground in the grand final.

The women’s best and fairest count was closer, with Dimboola Roos’ Jennie Hauselberger winning on 59 votes, four ahead of Horsham Jets runner-up Hannah Werner.

Yanac pair Caitlyn and Erin Alexander both finished with 14 goals to tie for the leading goal-scorer award, with goalkeeper of the year going to Melanie Bentley of Warracknabeal and best on ground in the grand final going to Mikayla Mackley of Yanac.

Deegan Clark of Nhill Leopards took out the boys under-16 best and fairest ahead of runner-up Charlie White from Kaniva Raiders, while Warrack Revengers’ Ellie Williamson won the girl’s under-16 award from Hannah Mackereth of the Horsham Bombers.

Leading goal scorers were Archie Zanker and Imogen Hedt of the Yanac Warriors in the boys and girls categories respectively, while Madisson Bentley of the Warrack Revengers was under-16 goalkeeper of the year and Yanac Warriors’ Archie Zanker was named best afield in the grand final.

The Annie Anderson Memorial Award for goalkeeper encouragement went to Rebecca-May Williams, who developed her skill and confidence in her first season for the reformed Dimboola Kangaroos.

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the association’s formation in 1974, nine of its 15 life members were on hand to cut a cake at the awards ceremony.

Nhill’s Rachel Clark later became a new life member after more than 20 years of service to the association, including as its official historian since 2012.

The WHA also presented an encouragement award to Horsham umpire Thomas Batchelor, as well as recognising the milestones of umpires Launa Schilling, who officiated her 200th game, and Clint Beattie, who umpired his 400th game in the last round of the season.

Additional encouragement awards went to Warracknabeal’s Ellie Williamson in the under-16 competition, Thomas Batchelor in the open grade, and Jennie Hauselberger for senior women. The association also appointed its leadership team for 2025 at the meeting, with Brad Alexander named president, Jennie Hauselberger as vice-president, Donna Krelle continuing as secretary-treasurer, Rachel Clark as records secretary and historian, and Simon King handling media duties.

The entire September 25, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire September, 25, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!