Source BIG FOOTY FORUM | 23rd January 2013
Exciting times ahead on the Darling Downs with the addition of two new clubs taking the number of sides contesting the senior competition to eleven. The Chinchilla Suns and South Burnett Saints join last years competitors at a time when interest in Australian Rules Football in the region is at it's highest.
Added to this the involvement of the Brisbane Lions who are holding their Community Camp on the Downs in mid February means that our great game will be front and center in the media in the build up to the season.
A brief run down on this years competing clubs ('A' Grade)-
Chinchilla Suns - Brand new club starting from scratch. Chinchilla has exploded in the past couple of years due to the mining boom in western Queensland. They have ticked all the boxes and come across as being a very professionally run outfit, they have had outstanding numbers to pre-season training and are looking to make their mark early.
http://www.chinchillasuns.sportingpulse.net
Coolaroo Roos - One of the powerhouses of the competition, these boys are always contenders. Senior coach Nick Barker knows how to get every last ounce out of his playing group and will leave no stone unturned as the Roos attempt to go all the way in 2013. A heartbreaking Preliminary Final loss last season to eventual premiers, Toowoomba Tigers, will no doubt have the Roos ready to impose themselves on the competition.
http://www.coolaroo.sportingpulse.net
Dalby Swans - New president Scott Matthews will be looking to build on the work done by his predecessor Tony Butcher as the Swans strive to take the next step. For a long time Dalby have dominated the junior competitions but the task in front of them now is to translate that success to their senior side. With a host of talented juniors coming through success won't be far away, perhaps this is the year they make their mark.
http://www.dalbyswans.sportingpulse.net
Goondiwindi Hawks - One of the iconic clubs on the Downs, the Hawks have fallen on tough times recently. They are without doubt a proud club and president Paul Leahy and his faithful offsiders are doing all they can to get the Hawks back flying high. No other club in the competition travel as far as the Hawks but they turn up each week and always give a good account of themselves. It's a matter of time before they are once again contenders.
http://www.goondiwindihawks.sportingpulse.net
Highfields Lions - Plenty of excitement around Highfields as a new era dawns. Not only do they have a new president in the respected Chris Sheath, they also have ex Melbourne Demon Drew Dale at the helm of the senior side for 2013. The Lions have always had the talent and desire and are sure to be one of the teams to watch this season. They are quietly confident they can go further this year after narrowly missing a finals berth in 2012. Plenty of young talent plus a good mix of experience puts them right amongst the contenders.
http://www.highfieldslions.sportingpulse.net
Lockyer Valley Demons - If premierships were given out for work off field the Demons would be shooting for three in a row. Tony and Donna Bowers and their band of loyal helpers do it tough, really tough. The good news is there is light at the end of the tunnel with a new ground in the works and very good growth in their junior numbers, things are starting to look up. They have some exciting young talent coming through and the Demons are sure to be there when the whips are cracking in the very near future.
http://www.lockyervalleydemons.com.au
South Burnett Saints - The second of the the new clubs to join the league for 2013 the Saints are up and running. The South Burnett has long been a breeding ground of talented junior footballers and the Saints are tapping into that to get their club moving forward. They will be making every effort to ensure that Lyle Vidler Oval is their fortress, a place other clubs fear. They have strong leadership at the top and training numbers have been awesome so watch the Saints as they look to make their mark.
http://www.southburnettsaints.sportingpulse.net
South Toowoomba Bombers - So close yet so far for the Bombers in 2012. A great season which in the end yielded only the minor premiership left the boys from Harristown wondering what happened. What happened was the best team on the Downs in the modern era, Toowoomba Tigers, did what they always do and stepped up when it mattered, winning their third consecutive flag. The Bombers will regroup and have another crack but after winning only one Grand Final from four GF appearances in the past five years they have a few hurdles to get over.
www.stbombers.sportingpulse.net
Toowoomba Tigers - Without doubt the most dominant club of the modern era. Premierships in 2010, 2011 and 2012 prove that the Tigers know how to get the job done. A different look at the club this season however as one club legend replaces another at the helm. Senior coach, Andrew Farr, has retired after guiding the club to a three-peat. Farry always wore his heart on his sleeve and his love of the Tigers was there for all to see. Replacing him was always going to be difficult but in th end there was really only one bloke who could, John "Box" Wilson. This guy is adored by the Tiger faithful and you can have no doubt that the playing group will give Box all they have. Can they make it four? It would be a brave man to bet against it.
http://www.toowoombatigers.org.au
University Cougars - Another of the power clubs of the competition the Cougars are also in a transition phase as new coach, Shane Melrose, instills his brand of no nonsense football into his playing group. Uni are always up near the pointy end of the ladder and play an attractive brand of football but also enjoy getting down and dirty when required. Knocked out in a heartbreaking loss in the elimination final last season the Cougars will be looking to take big steps this year. Beware the Cougars, they are coming.
http://www.universitycougarsafl.com
Warwick Redbacks - The 2011 runners up are going to have facilities the envy of the league this year as Roddies Oval comes into it's own. Driven by president Keith Clarke, the development in Warwick is first class and it won't be long before the Redbacks turn it into a fortress. Some super talented players coupled with astute coaching means that the Redbacks will once again be a force to be reckoned with. Don't be surprised to see them once again contesting the finals and once there they have the talent to take it all.
http://www.warwickredbacks.sportingpulse.net
Last Modified on 26/02/2013 12:50
