The three-time reigning champs have had a big off season with a newly appointed coach, new leadership group and a handful of youth added to the list.
Firstly, premiership Assistant Coach John Wilson has taken over the gig from three-time Premiership coach Andrew Farr and you wouldn’t expect too much to change. Wilson is one of the most experienced coaches on the Downs after head coaching stints with the Under18 Crows in Brisbane and a number of representative jobs as well. You would expect John to keep the game plan relatively the same but add his own flavour to the Champs.
John has been able to add youth to the side in the Taylor brothers, Crows premiership players in Ben Carpenter and James Adams while adding a few mature-age recruits.
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the premiers though as they have lost former club great Andrew Wickes who hung up the boots (retired), Captain Luke Adams and premiership stars Hugh Priest, Nic Upton to the glitz and glamour of the Gold Coast. With former Captain Luke moving on to play higher grade footy on the Coast, the Tigers have appointed veteran Michael O’Donoghue Junior and hard nut Nicholas Talbot as joint Captains for season 2013.
Round one will see the Premiers face arch rivals south Toowoomba in a mouth watering Opening Round of the Allied Pickfords Premiership season. Bombers have lost 8 players from the team that took to the field in the 2012 decider, which includes Holman Medallist Trent Saxelby. Souths will rely heavily on forward Dan McPhee and the mid-field brigade of Behan, Neumann, Myles and Newman but will be looking for their injection of youthful recruits to step up.
The three-time premiers should come away with the four points from this round one encounter against the baby-Bombers and kick start their campaign to a fourth straight flag on a high.
Western Derby
A new rivalry will be born in the opening Round of the Allied Pickfords premiership season as the Dalby Swans will take on new-comers the Chinchilla SUNS. The Swannies are another side that has recruited well into their senior ranks welcoming back Under 18 Crows premiership stars Lachlan Thomas, Rockliff brothers and Charlie Nolan.
Chinchilla are an unknown force at the moment but are ready to take on the challenge in their inaugural season. The Chinchilla Showgrounds will be the SUNS fortress for the 2013 season and senior coach Rob Forgan is excited about the unknown ahead.
“We’re all very excited about it and are looking forward to playing a few games and seeing how the community accepts Aussie Rules,” Forgan said ahead of the SUNS round 1 derby with the Swans.
Traditional Rivals to face off
The old-school rivalry from the 90’s will kick off again in 2013 as the Goondiwindi Hawks host the University Cougars at Riddles Oval. University will be without star players Al Reilly and Chris Davis due to other commitments will want their next batch of stars to step up in their absence.
Goondiwindi have recruited well over the off season including young-ruck recruit Troy Millard from Aspley which will help their already impressive midfield of Leahy, O’Toole and Thomas with first usage.
Warwick to enter the Den
Redbacks will face an early season challenge when the face the Lions at Kratzke Oval and both sides will be eager for the four premiership points up first. Both sides have had similar fate in recent seasons with each club missing out finals by similar margins. (Taking out Warwick’s Grand-Final appearance in 2011)
Warwick are welcoming back hard nut Kurt Millard who will add to the midfield depth of the Redbacks and the Lions have picked up one of the Under 18 Crows 2012 premiership players in Jeremy Haaksma which will add plenty of dash and flair.
Saints to march into Demons terrain
New-comers the South Burnett Saints will face a new look Lockyer Valley in the Allied Pickfords Opening round clash at the Gatton Show-grounds. The Demons will don a new look Guernsey against the Saints as a new rivalry is born “the Biblical Battle”.
Both sides will want to state their claim as competitive teams but Saints coach Steve Humbler is looking to be more than competitive and win 8 of their 16 home and away games in 2013.
“We want to win 6 of our home games and a couple away games as well in our first season,” Saints coach Steve Humbler said on the South Burnett’s first season.
Coolaroo - BYE
For a full look at the 2013 Allied Pickfords fixture, click here
Last Modified on 24/04/2013 09:23
