Tigers v Coolaroo @ Rockville Oval, Toowoomba
FORM: Tigers: WWWWW Coolaroo: WWWWW
What is there not to love about Coolaroo’s form so far this season? They enter the eve of the first round with a perfect season so far intact and a win over the three-time reigning premiers is not one which will be taken lightly. Big Miels “Milo” Grice is very quickly chasing down Dan McPhee for the John Green Leading Goalkicker Trophy, again kicking 9 goals in the win over Warwick last week. When combined with the midfield/forward duo of Tom Rudolph & Phil Dreise Junior, their forward line is looking very hard to stop.
As for the Tigers, their backline has tightened up in the past couple of months as coach John Wilson has taken a leaf out of the Ross Lyon playbook. Excluding their tight match against South Burnett a few weeks ago when they were undermanned, their previous 4 encounters have each resulted in just 3 goals per game for the opposition. This will no doubt prove an interesting matchup as the best forward line in the competition matches up against the second best defense.
Tip: Coolaroo by 1 – 12
Goondiwindi v Warwick @ Riddles Oval, Goondiwindi
FORM: Goondiwindi: WLLLW Warwick: LLLBL
The expanded final 5 is looking likely to favour one of these two sides come the last weekend in August. Warwick started off the season in scintillating form, but haven’t tasted victory since International Star Wars Day (May the Fourth) and are desperate to celebrate in their brand new clubrooms. Unfortunately for them, this match isn’t at Roddies Oval; rather at the similarly named Riddles Oval, some 2 hours away.
Goondiwindi have been the big improvers in season 2013 after winning just one game last year on their way to claiming the wooden spoon. Their massive win over Chinchilla last weekend saw them leapfrog their way into the top 5 with a win this weekend potentially moving them into fourth.
For us, this match will be won between the 50m arcs with plenty of end to end football. Coach Brenton Jardine leads Goondiwindi’s rebound off of half-back, while Warwick’s wingmen of Tim Tate & Tyhe Clarkson will provide good movement between defense and attack.
Tip: Goondiwindi by 37 – 48
Dalby v South Burnett @ Swans Oval, Dalby
FORM: Dalby: LLLWB South Burnett: LBLWL
Two young sides, looking for a victory to show who is top of the sides likely to miss September action. Dalby finally got everything to click in their last match against South Toowoomba before the bye halted their momentum leading into their next match. Since then young Lachlan Thomas is out of the side in a blow to the Swans, but if they can get the win here confidence will start to ride high and upsets could come a plenty in the second half of the season.
The Saints continue to march in and their shortest road-trip of the season will see them fresh for a bropocalypse out at Swans Oval on Saturday. The side has been impressive in their opening season and are becoming known for finding themselves in tough encounters. Their past three matches have been decided by a combined total of 20 points in promising signs for the future. Can they continue to run, even as the bodies start to tire in the latter half of the season? That is the real question.
Tip: Dalby by 13 – 24
Highfields v South Toowoomba @ Kratzke Oval, Highfields
FORM: Highfields: LLWLW South Toowoomba: BWWLL
Look back a month and South Toowoomba would have been chalking this one up as a relatively easy win. The side had lost just one match for the season and were crusing along nicer than a brand new Ferrari on the German Autobahn. Now, the warranty has run out and they’ve found themselves somewhere out past Roma with nothing but the shoes on their feet and a donkey for guidance. Injuries have struck right across the ground and with a rumoured return of six-time retiree Keith Webb the Bombers will likely add to that list on Sunday morning.
Highfields have also struggled a bit in the past few weeks, being topped up with Coolaroo players to ensure 22 players remain on the teamsheet. Given the Roos have a Reserves match this weekend against the Bombers, don’t expect too much help to head North.
If Highfields can stop Bradon Behan feeding the ball to Dan McPhee expect a great match, but if not expect the match to be a scrappy affair as both sides start to run out of legs by the last quarter.
Tip: South Toowoomba by 25 – 36
Lockyer Valley v University @ Gatton Showgrounds, Gatton
FORM: Lockyer Valley: LLBLL University: WWWW
This match is one which University will be expected to cruise to victory. The Cougars have been in purring form with just one narrow loss to date and the side will be looking to continue this into their bye next week.
Lockyer Valley have played just the one match since their narrow loss to Chinchilla and will be keen to work their way back into form after a big loss last week against the Tigers.
The Gatton Showgrounds will provide a massive amount of space to allow both teams to play their preferred free-flowing style of football. For the spectators, expect some big runs down the wing, some flashy goals from the pockets and some enthusiastic chases.
Tip: University by 61+
Last Modified on 09/07/2013 14:22
