Goondiwindi hosts the South Toowoomba Bombers in the Indigenous Round match of the week.
In the corresponding match last season, South Toowoomba eased to 23 goal victory despite not fielding a full side. Fast forward 11 months and a similar result would be a huge shock. Goondiwindi are easily the most improved side of 2013 and have now won 4 straight matches after suffering a narrow loss to University in Round 1.
Coach Jardine has brought in a new culture of ensuring numbers at training and winning contested footy which has got the boys in green & gold up and about. Man mountain Troy Millard will prove a tough ask for the South Toowoomba ruck stocks with Robb Lunney & young Lachlan Walters expected to struggle. Captain Ben Newman will re-join the Souths midfield brigade of Jeff Neumann & Bradon Behan to try and wrestle back the likely loss of ruck taps. The ever-present Jeremy Leahy has had some of the workload eased off of him with Dave O’Toole returning to the club after a 2012 layoff. Whichever midfield can provide first use of the ball to their forwards will undoubtedly run out victors on the small Riddles Oval.
Tip: South Toowoomba by 1-12
Warwick & University also face off in a crucial clash at Roddies Oval in Round 7 of the Allied Pickfords Cup. Warwick suffered their first loss of season 2013 last week against the Tigers and will be keen to rebound against a University outfit which are yet to get a consistent side on the paddock. The team has once again changed significantly from the 10 changes which were made to face South Burnett last week with captain Al Reilly & midfielder Tristan Shorter likely to return amongst a number of others.
Warwick appear to have put some of the internal issues of 2012 to rest as they look to regain the form which took them to the 2011 Grand Final. Goalsneak Kurt “Hollywood” Heier will miss the clash after dislocating a shoulder last week, however the question on everyone’s lips will be if triple Holman Medallist Brendan Iles lines up in the red & blue.
Whichever side converts their forward opportunities will be likely to move to 5-1 and remain in the top 3 after this weekend.
Tip: University by 13-24
Undefeated Coolaroo is expected to get the points over Highfields at Gold Park this weekend. Highfields have shown plenty of glimpses in season 2013 pushing top 5 sides Warwick, Tigers & Goondiwindi before suffering narrow defeats. It is only a matter of time before one of these matches turns the other way, however Coolaroo appear to have too much polish to run around the older Highfields bodies.
Coolaroo were once again pushed in a controversial affair last weekend by a youthful Swans outfit however with most of their stars likely to return to face the Lions a win seems likely. Highfields will need to turn the ball over as it comes to key forward Milo Grice and midfielder turned forward Tom Rudolph and look to rebound from there if they wish to challenge the premiership favourites.
Tip: Coolaroo by 37 – 48
The triple premiers Toowoomba Tigers face competition newcomers the Chinchilla SUNS in the final match of this weekend at the cold and windy Rockville Oval.
The SUNS scored their first ever win last weekend and will be keen to show it was not a one-off with a solid performance this Saturday. The SUNS have so far struggled when travelling away from home; however do play a similar style of football to the Tigers when the full side is on the paddock. Contested football will come at a premium and will likely result in a fiery affair with plenty of sore bodies on Sunday morning.
Tip: Tigers by 61+
Lockyer Valley & Dalby have postponed their fixtures to August 3rd due to the U15 State Schoolboy Championships being played in Dalby this weekend.
South Burnett will have a much earned break after 6 tough games to open their return to the competition.
Last Modified on 05/06/2013 12:03
