Goondiwindi Hawks v Toowoomba Tigers @ Riddles Oval
#AFLDDHawksVsTigers
LAST TIME: Round 9: Tigers 13.7 (85) d Hawks 3.12 (30) @ Rockville Oval
After struggling through two lean seasons with just three wins, Goondiwindi finds itself again in the match of the round off the back of a much improved 2013.
Goondiwindi heads into another big home matchup with the three-time premiers in what is expected to be an absolutely cracking battle. The Hawks have been in superb form the past few weeks after a mid-season slump; knocking off Chinchilla & Warwick by a combined margin in excess of 300 points.
The big ins of key position players Brenton Jardine and Troy Millard have provided the men in green and gold with some size around the contests. This allows traditional workhorses Jeremy Leahy & Steven Collett to play the outside run and deliver, something which they have been unable to do in the past few years. Once the ball moves forward, David O’Toole is in superb touch, kicking another 13 goals last weekend. He has now moved in to third position in the John Green Leading Goalkicker Trophy and has polled in his club’s best every single match this season.
The Tigers will be less than impressed with their performance last weekend, kicking just 4 goals against the undefeated Coolaroo. The Tigers were beaten around the contest and struggled to handle the pressure of a slick Roos outfit. The Tigers have prided themselves on making a move come July and a win on the road will provide coach John Wilson with an accurate barometer on which to measure themselves.
On the flip side, a win to Goondiwindi will go a long way to locking themselves in to a finals berth for the first time in a number of years, given they have a relatively soft draw to come home.
Tip: Goondiwindi by 1 - 12
South Toowoomba Bombers v South Burnett Saints @ Rockville Oval
#AFLDDBombersVsSaints
LAST TIME: Round 5: Bombers 26.16 (172) d Saints 5.11 (41) @ Lyle Vidler Oval
What a match this one is shaping up to be! When these two sides last played two months ago the Bombers were rolling along with just the solitary loss to Coolaroo and handed the Saints a footballing lesson. Now, the Bombers have lost three on the trot and continue to rack up more and more injuries with relief still around a month away. Jeff Neumann is undoubtedly the biggest name missing from the side, heaping the pressure on fellow midfielder Bradon Behan to take the ball from a contest.
The match-up of the day will undoubtedly by in the ruck with the Saints Lucas Walsh plying his trade and improving every week. He has height on many opponents, but uses his leap to accurately palm the ball down to skipper Adam Bowater. His opponent this week will be the young Lachlan Walters who will be oozing inspiration to perform. The passing of his father has been tough on the 18 year old, but as he pulls on the red & black he will do it with pride in memory of his coach & mentor.
Tip: South Toowoomba by 13 – 24
Dalby Swans v Warwick Redbacks @ Swans Oval
#AFLDDSwansVsReddies
LAST TIME: Round 2: Redbacks 14.12 (96) d Swans 8.5 (53) @ Roddies Oval
Both Warwick & Dalby have gone through the first half of the season with a chance to push into the expanded final 5. At the completion of the first cycle of matches, Warwick has found themselves running at 50%, despite winning their first 5 matches. The Swans have a 4-5 record, but with a match in hand against the winless Lockyer Valley, they are effectively tied for 6th with the Redbacks.
Both sides boast incredibly young lists suggesting this match could be one which ebbs and flows more than a Gold Coast shoreline. Both sides have loaded their pace across the centre line, highlighted by the Sam Rockliff & Tim Tate matchup. Both players were instrumental in the Darling Downs Crows undefeated 2012 season and will be keen to test themselves against each other after Rockliff missed the Round 2 encounter. Both players are strong through the hips and combine power running with a precision kick. For the spectators out there, forget the game, just watch that matchup!
Tip: Dalby by 25 – 36
Lockyer Valley Demons v Chinchilla SUNS @ Gatton Showgrounds
#AFLDDDemonsVsSuns
LAST TIME: Round 6: SUNS 13.10 (88) d Demons 9.15 (69) @ Chinchilla Showgrounds
Both sides were probably looking forward to this match a few weeks early, focussing their efforts on a winnable match. Prior to their bye last week the SUNS suffered a 220 point loss at the hands of Goondiwindi, while the Demons went down by 15 points more to University last week. This Saturday however the scoreline will no doubt be very different.
Both sides are struggling a bit in season 2013 as they struggle to keep up with the other sides. This has resulted in turning up to matches with less than 22 players, making it even tougher on the sides. This match will likely go the way of the side which remains focussed for longer and having a full suite of bench players to rotate through will be crucial in this pursuit.
Tip: Lockyer Valley by 1 – 12
Coolaroo, University & Highfields all have the bye to rest up and launch their assault on the second half of the season.
PHOTO: Tigers & Goondiwindi players contest for the ball in the Round 9 matchup. Photo courtesy of The Chronicle.
Last Modified on 11/07/2013 10:37