Under 16 AFL Darling Downs Juniors Preliminary Final
It will be the Dalby Swans and South Toowoomba Bombers in the Under 16 Preliminary Final, as both sides fight off for the opportunity to play the Cougars in this year’s Grand-Final.
South Toowoomba has been very sneaky this season or some may say they have prepared themselves perfectly at the right end of the season. Bombers sat in 6th for most of the season and made a late charge towards the finals.
Souths snuck in by 2points over Warwick into the top 4 but both Dalby and University should be wary of the ranivorous Bombers.
Dalby have just gone about their business the way the Swannies do and coach Scott Matthews wouldn’t be to worried about the defeat to University last week. The Swannies will welcome back quality midfielder Dan Mauch who was away with the QLD Volleyball team and will be a welcome inclusion.
Dalby weren’t themselves last week as they lacked run and were erratic by foot, something they would have no doubt worked on during the week. They do rely heavily on Harry Milford down forward and no doubt a Milford V Mills (Souths) match up will be on the cards.
Milford kicks bags of goals week in, week out and is very similar to the Geelong Cats Stevie J. Harry kicks the unbelievable goals from places you wouldn’t even dream of but can be erratic right in front. Dalby will need Harry to be on in front of the sticks and also be able to push through the midfield at different stages.
Another Swannie to watch is the crafty left footer Brodie Easton who is in great form. Easton sets up a lot of drive for Dalby and will be another player relied on heavily.
For South Toowoomba they will need the hard running play maker Jacob Schaumann to be on song and he will need to be well supported by Sam Flannery, Will Krause and Jay Creeks. Flannery should be used at centre-half forward a position he has come accustomed to this year while Krause and Creeks will more than likely line up in the middle.
If Krause can hit the footy hard, he will be the difference in this all important final. No doubt Dalby will have someone watching one of the Souths midfielders closely and Bombers will be looking to stop either Easton or Mauch’s influence on the game.
Whichever side can take the game on and attack will come away with victory. Can the reigning Under 16 premiers the Swannies continue on in September or will the sneaky Bombers claim another scalp? Only one thing is sure, this will be another September blockbuster.
Last Modified on 04/09/2012 12:42
