University will go into this Grand-Final as the red hot favourites and no doubt Coach Melrose will be happy with this, though the Swannies won’t be too fazed by the tag.
The Cougars have got the biscuits in every encounter with the Swans in 2012 and will be confident going into the Grand-Final. University will also welcome back inspirational skipper Sam Cooper who was missing in action during the qualifying final with illness.
Cooper coming in will help bolster the University defence/midfield lines with his first class decision making and ball use. University seemed lost at different stages throughout the game and no doubt that won’t happen this time.
Dalby will also welcome back star play maker Dan Mauch who was also missing from the Qualifying Final and slipped back in perfectly last week in the Swans win over the Bombers. Mauch is quick and hard to tackle and will cause a few headaches for the Cougars coaching staff.
2012 Results University V Dalby
Round 9: University 8.10 (58) def. Dalby 6.14 (50)
Round 17: University 21.18 (144) def. Dalby 1.2 (8)
Qualifying Final: University 9.14 (68) def. Dalby 6.3 (39)
So, do season results count for anything in the Grand-Final?
University were relentless in the QF game but were quite erratic at different stages in the game and in particular the third quarter where they kicked 1.6 (12). University will need to make the most of their inside 50’s, as Dalby will jump on any wasted opportunities.
Other than Sam Cooper, Connor Pyke is a key figure to the Cougars success. Pyke is extremely quick and can play either as tall or short defender, ruckman, rover or key forward or small forward. Connor is a player you can build your team around and no doubt the Cougars will look to Pyke for a big game.
For the Swans, they boast a trio of stars in Dan Mauch, Brodie Easton and Harry Milford. All three would be a welcome inclusion in any football team around the country. Mauch and Easton play through the midfielder while Milford plays up forward as the key forward.
Easton is a silky left footed follower with exceptional decision making; while Milford is similar to the Geelong Cats “Stevie J” forward/midfielder the Swans will look for Milford to play predominately forward in the big game.
Josh White (University) may just be the wild card in the mix. White is a hardnosed midfielder who goes under many teams radars and would be close to leading the competition for contested possessions. White would be a smokey for best on ground honours and should also feature high up in the Cougars club best and fairest.
Statistically Dalby rate as the better attacking team out of the two while the Cougars lame claims to the best defensive side.
Which would you prefer best attack or best defence? You need to kick goals to win games but you also need to stop goals to win games?
Whoever can make the most of their inside 50’s and get on top in contested possessions will come finish the game on top and be named as the 2012 Under 16 Premiers.
This game could go either way and will be an exceptional Grand-Final.
Last Modified on 12/09/2012 09:11
