Form Lines: The Tigers will line up in their 2nd straight Grand Final today after what has been a rollercoaster year for the club. The Tigers have had to deal with a gallimaufry of events including club suspensions and numerous break ins during the season but to their credit have let their on field performances do the talking and as a result find themselves in another Grand Final appearance today.
The Tigers finished the 2011 season as minor premiers and out ran the Cougars in the second half of their Preliminary Final nail biter last weekend.
What is worrying for the Tigers coaching staff is that their squad was soundly beaten by today’s opponents Warwick in their major Semi Final Clash two weeks ago. Some will argue that the extreme weather conditions in this game may have gone a long way to the final result as the Tigers do seem a much better in dry conditions.
The Redbacks have had arguably their best season since joining the competition in 1996 finishing the regular season in second place just behind the Tigers. The Redbacks certainly looked the more desperate side in their semi final win two weeks ago and will be looking for similar intensity levels in today’s big game.
History: The Tigers are the reining premiers beating the South Toowoomba Bombers by 3 points in last year epic Grand Final. Most of the 2010 Tigers squad is going around again this year and the experienced gained from playing on the big stage last year and winning will be a major plus for the Tigers today.
The Redbacks have never won a Darling Downs Premiership and haven’t been on the big stage in the last week of the season since their losses to Coolaroo in 2001 / 2002. These two clubs have never met in a Grand final appearance
Last time these teams met:
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Semi Final 2 - Sat 27Aug.
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5.3-33 Tigers
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10.10-70 Redbacks
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Round 12 - Sat 25 June.
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12.18-90 Tigers
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10.14-74 Redbacks
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Round 3 - Sat 9 April.
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12.10-82 Tigers
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9.9-63 Redbacks
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Key Areas - Forwards: The Warwick forward line has been the most potent of any club this year. The combination of Jason Wright and Aaron Lawlor has produced 132 goals between them to date which includes 14 against the Tigers this season. Add goal sneak Kurt Heir and crafty utility Nic Donges to the mix and you have a forward line which boasts several different attacking options.
The Tigers have a similar set up to the Redbacks with veteran full forward John Wilson their go to man deep in attack. Danny McErvale has proven to be a big game goal scorer in the past and came back into the Tigers line up last week but played predominately further up the ground. Michael O’Donoghue was in good form last weekend and will have to be watched closely with his goal sense being second to none in the competition.
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 Talbot off the half back line has been one of their strengths in this year’s finals series. 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 Harper across half back and both players had a big influence in the outcome of their last game.
For the Redbacks crafty back flankers Tony Chandler and Andrew Bardsley play this role. Add the inclusion of centre half back Steve Martin to the mix this weekend and you have a backline that structurally looks much improved.
.Key Areas – Midfield: The engine room battle today is one that has a contrasting look to it. The Tigers have 2 bigger bodied players in Dan Farr and Luke Adams that will win a lot of ball in and under while Warwick have Brendan Iles and Kurt Millard who have good pace and can break lines. Iles and Millard will look to run their opponents off their feet today and may have an edge in fitness. Farr is a prodigious kick of the ball and will use his penetrating kick when delivering to the Tigers forward line. Iles, Millard and Adams are all midfielders who kick goals and will be relied upon again today.
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.
Last Modified on 11/10/2011 15:16
