The first premiership for 2012 is up for grabs this weekend as University & Coolaroo go head to head in the Allied Pickfords Reserve Grade Grand Final.
The three team competition has allowed many new players the opportunity to give footy a go, as well as provide an avenue for some younger kids to get a run under their belt and push towards A Grade selection.
University lost their first game of the season to Souths in Round 3 by 44 points but have been like a kid in a free candy store since then, taking home the choccies in all 7 games since.
The Sudanese boys lining up for University who shocked the Under 16 competition last season have continued to leave their opponents in a permanent state of flabbergastation, dancing around some of the bigger Reserves bodies with ease. This allows the ball to move quickly to the forward line where Eddie Tong & 16 year old Connor Pyke have been superb, kicking 15 goals apiece in just 7 combined games.
University have 17 players to select from for this match. Along with the Sudanese contingent, twin towers Damien Beer & Norm Dempsey will provide the Cougars with plenty of attack on the ball.
Coolaroo have taken a very different path to the final, struggling early on and being forced to wait until June 30 to register their first win for the season. Three consecutive wins over the Bombers has jumped them up to second spot, giving them a shot at the title.
The Roos have shared the load, bringing in a couple of A Grade players on byes to help teach the other players the ropes. How well they have taught the Reserves players is what will potentially give them the advantage over University. With 20 players to select from Chris Jackson will be the first lock in, along with Cameron Dobson. The two of them have combined for 37 goals, kicking them on a whigmaleerie from all angles in what has already resulted in 5 A Grade matches for the pair.
If Coolaroo can stop the influence of the taller, more agile University bodies and put some pressure on early, the game will be a great one to showcase the competition set to expand significantly in 2013.
Past Results:
Round 8: University 23.8 (146) def Coolaroo 7.7 (49)
Round 9: University 10.6 (66) def Coolaroo 9.5 (59)
Round 11: University 13.11 (89) def Coolaroo 3.2 (20)
Round 18: University 13.12 (90) def Coolaroo 8.3 (51)
Last Modified on 22/08/2012 18:56
