Here it is! The biggest game of the year. Both teams will be keen to leave it all on the paddock, let their actions do the talking and try and come home with what they have worked hard for, for the past 9 months. Could you ask for any more clichés?
The South Toowoomba Bombers have always been at the pointy end of the season ever since they re-entered the competition in 2005. This year will mark their fifth grand final appearance in 7 seasons, however with just 1 premiership they will be keen to add to their 2008 flag with a partner.
Souths have been premiership favourites for much of the season, only suffering one loss all year, at the hands of Coolaroo, whom they beat two weeks ago in the major semi-final. They have a very tall team, with size spread right across the ground; however still manage to not have a dominant ruckman.
Holman Medallist Trent Saxelby is obviously in superb form from centre half-back and provides much needed strength, size, leadership and rebounding pressure from one of the most important a reason the ground. Nick Jones was quiet in the semi and will be keen to make amends and may loom as the matchup for either Josh Andrews or big Andrew Wickes.
Up forward the late season inclusion of 4–time retiree Keith Webb has allowed Dan McPhee to run even freer, and the full forward kicked 10 in the semi final as the Roos struggled to find a matchup for both marking targets. Could Webb be this season’s Box, becoming the iconic image of ending the game on a high after kicking the sealer?
In the engine room Bradon Behan & Jeff Neumann have formed a solid combination and along with the experience of Ben Newman, provide a highly skilled midfield which is among the league’s best.
For the Tigers it will be a case of déjà vu as they endeavour to make it a three-peat and continue the Tigers dynasty that coach Farr has talked about for the past couple of seasons. They have never seemed to have the best list on paper but always prove time and time again that a team which plays well together and sticks to their game plans will come out with the rewards.
The Tigers strength lies across their half-back line with Nic Upton a welcome inclusion in 2012 as well as Stephen Harbort providing a tough road to goal. On the rebound the ball will come through Michael O’Donoghue Junior and Hugh Priest who has been exceptional in the past few weeks. Priest, a Burleigh Bombers import amazes opponents with his agility and ability to kick a long-range goal. He will take the kick-outs but is also expected to bob up with a couple of 45 metre goals when it is truly needed.
Luke Adams has been a bit quiet this season compared to the form he showed en route to winning last year’s best afield medal, however his hardness around the contest is unmatched and will play a big part in the success of the Tigers.
The past 7 premierships have been won by the minor premier and the Tigers will look to break this trend to set their own record. Across the ground, both teams will play attacking, rebound football however the superior foot skills of the Bombers are likely to prove too hot to handle. If the Tigers can find a matchup for Dan McPhee however, the match will become a hard slog which the Tigers are renowned for.
Either way, the trend of close grand finals is likely to continue with 4 of the last 5 being under 4 goals and 3 of those under 10 points.
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AFL DARLING DOWNS - ALLIED PICKFORDS CUP
Saturday 8 September 2012
2:30pm, Rockville Oval
Tor St, Toowoomba
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SOUTH TOOWOOMBA BOMBERS
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V
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TOOWOOMBA TIGERS
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15-1-1 (1st)
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2012 Record
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14-3-1 (3rd)
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4-2-1
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Head to Head (since 2010)
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2-4-1
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2153 (126.6 ave.)
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2012 Score
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2036 (113.1 ave.)
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818 (48.1 ave.)
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2012 Defence
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967 (53.7 ave.)
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6-8 (42.9%)
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Grand Final Record
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4-6 (40.0%)
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‘72, ‘76, ‘81, ‘82, ‘84, ‘08
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Premierships
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‘77, ‘79, ‘10, ‘11
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$1.55
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Odds (not actually available)
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$2.80
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Dan McPhee
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BOG Favourite
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Hugh Priest
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Past Results:
Round 14 2012: Souths 13.14 (92) dw Tigers 13.14 (92)
Round 7 2012: Souths 8.15 (63) d Tigers 7.11 (53)
Round 10 2011: Souths 20.16 (136) d Tigers 10.14 (74)
Round 1 2011: Souths 12.9 (81) d Tigers 7.11 (53)
Grand Final 2010: Tigers 10.17 (77) d Souths 10.14 (74)
Round 12 2010: Souths 9.10 (64) d Tigers 9.8 (62)
Round 3 2010: Tigers 16.9 (105) d Souths 10.11 (71)
Last Modified on 12/09/2012 09:11
