The fifth placed Warwick Redbacks take on fourth placed Coolaroo in this week’s Allied Pickfords game of the round at the new home of the Redbacks, Roddies Oval.
The Redbacks have had an indifferent start to the season with 2 wins and 2 losses from their opening 4 games with one of those wins a narrow 6 point victory against Dalby a fortnight ago. Warwick have struggled to beat teams above them on the ladder so far this year and if they are going to keep touch with the top 4 they will have to reverse this trend and quickly.
Coolaroo are also 2 and 2 but bounced back to form very well last week and silenced a few critics in the process with their 80 point demolition of 3rd placed Highfields. Rudolph was once again the go to man with 4 goals from the midfield and countless possessions while he was supported very well by up and coming youngster Luke Mason.
The Roos structure also looks solid with Copland, Grice and Gribble combining well up forward and with the return of key position players in Carl and Alex Horsfall this week the Redbacks will have their work cut out for them.
The exceptional form of veteran forwards Lawlor and Wright were a powerhouse combination in 2011 and a large part of the Redbacks success but with the pair only contributing a combined total of 8 goals from the opening 4 games this season the Redbacks have struggled to post competitive totals. Three time Holman Medallist Brendan Iles has also had a sluggish start to the season and with the loss of the Millard brothers the Redbacks midfield doesn’t look as potent as previous years. At home this is a great opportunity for the Redbacks to get their season back on track and note they are still premiership contenders in 2012.
In other games the currently undefeated South Toowoomba Bombers are at home against Goondiwindi while Dalby are on the road against an ever improving Lockyer Valley. Will this week signal the first regular season victory for the Demons since their inclusion back into the AFLDD in 2010? The Demons have improved every week this season and after being pummelled by Souths in the opening round they have posted losses of 114 (Tigers), 111 (Lions) and only 85 points last week against Warwick. This could be their week!
The other significant game of the round has the Highfields Lions hosting the University Cougars. Both teams were comprehensively beaten last week and will be looking for a quick form reversal especially University who could fall to 1 and 3 if they drop this game. A must win for both clubs in what’s being described as an 8 point game as the top 4 looks to take shape.
Last Modified on 04/05/2012 07:52