Form Lines: The Bombers will line up in their 3rd straight Grand Final today after what has been a rollercoaster year for the club. The Bombers endured a horror start to their season and after 4 rounds were lamenting in 7th place on the ladder with only 1 win from their first 4 appearances. Many were predicting that the 2008/9 grand finalists would not even make the finals campaign this season. Then from rounds 6 to 12 the Bombers hit some form stringing 7 wins together to place them in equal second on the ladder with the Cougars. But a late run of form from 2009 premiers Coolaroo and the Warwick Redbacks resulted in the 2008 premiers only just scraping into the finals series in 4th place on percentage. Since then the Bombers have recaptured some of the form that lead them to the 2008 flag with victories over Coolaroo and the Cougars.
The Tigers finished the 2010 season as minor premiers and out ran the Cougars in their major semi final clash two weeks ago. Toowoomba have been the team to beat all season on the back of their 10 game winning streak to start off their 2010 campaign and must start as favourites today. What is worrying for the Tigers coaching staff is that their squad has only played 1 game over the last 3 weeks and could be lacking some game conditioning coming into today’s final encounter. I’m certain that coach Andrew Farr identified this possible lack of game conditioning long ago as the Tigers have been training 3 nights per week for the last 2 months and shouldn’t lack any run today as a result.
Both sides have won their last 5 games leading into today’s clash making it very difficult to determine who is in better form at present.
History: The Tigers last Grand Final appearance was in 2006 when they were beaten by University and it’s been 22 years since the last Toowoomba Premiership which came against the Dalby Swans in 1988. The Bombers have an outstanding record of making Grand Finals since their reformation in 2005 as the Central Bombers.
The Bombers have played in 4 of the last 6 Grand Finals and should have the edge in terms of playing experience in the big games. These clubs have met twice before in Grand Finals but it has been a long time between drinks.
The ledger currently stands at 1 win a piece with the Tigers (Pinkies) taking the honours in the 1979 Grand Final while the Bombers (Longhorns) came away with victory in 1976. Last time these teams met: The last outing between the Tigers and Bombers this year was back in round 12 where Souths ended Toowoomba’s 10 game winning streak with a nail biting 2 point win.
Key Areas - Forwards: The Bombers structure has looked much better over the last month with Webb returning to Full Forward and the Zilm brothers (Sam & Tom) acting as a dual Centre Half Forward combination. Webb has been the form forward of the competition since his return in round 15 booting 26 goals from 5 appearances. Include the good form of small forwards Chris Behan and Ben Newman and you have a potent forward line capable of kicking large totals.
The Tigers have a different set up to the Bombers in the forward half not relying on any 1 player for the majority of their goals. Since the loss of Full Forward John Wilson and the change in position of Dan Farr to the midfield the Tigers have gone with a more mobile / small forward structure. This has included Danny McErvale who has been a goal kicker late in the year for the Tigers and along with the good form of crafty small forward Michael O’Donoghue Toowoomba has found a way around the loss of Wilson.
Key Areas – Backs: The backline of both teams have a similar look with some hardened veteran’s and skilful runners and users. For Toowoomba the combination of Chad Harper and Nic Upton off the half back line has been one of their strengths this season. Both players show very good poise with ball in hand and very rarely turn the ball back over to the opposition. A large amount of the Tigers drive is set up by Upton and Harper across half back and both players had a big influence in the outcome of their last game.
For the Bombers crafty back flanker Robbie Miller plays this role but also has the ability to take many defensive marks during the game as his ability to read the play is second to none in the competition. Miller plays his 100th game for the Bombers today and is the first Souths player to reach this feat since the clubs acceptance back into the senior competition in 2005.
In the last line of defence Leon Bennet has once again been a tower of strength. Bennet will not rack up huge numbers but his spoiling ability and hardness at the ball is the best of any player in the Souths line up. The Tigers went with veteran ruckman Andrew Wickes at full back in their last clash with the Cougars. Wickes size should be a good match for Webb who has exploited smaller opponents over the last 2 games for the Bombers.
Key Areas – Midfield: The engine room battle today is one that has a contrasting look to it. The Tigers have 3 bigger bodied players in Farr, Walton and Adams that will win a lot of ball in and under while Souths have Crow, Englart and Saxelby who will look to run their opponents off their feet and get the majority of their possessions around the ground.
The ruck battle on paper looks to favour Souths with Bennet’s good return last week bolstering their rucking depth with partner in Crime Chris Jackson. The Tigers will look to Ballin and Young to do the majority of their ruckwork today but may also have to include Wickes into the mix if the Souths big men get on top here.
All in all this battle looms as a mouth watering affair with great 1 on 1 duels all over the paddock but it will be the side that can come together as the better team that will come away with the ultimate prize of holding aloft the Premiership Cup at the conclusion of the day.
The senior game kicks off at 2:30pm at Rockville Park with a special half time game included in the days activities for 2010 auskick participants.
Photo: By Anita Kleidon
Last Modified on 29/09/2010 12:11