Round 13, Allied Pickfords Cup
Preview: Redback’s V. Hawks
Country Derby to shape the makeup of the Top 5
SUMMARY
The Round 13 match of the round between the fifth placed Goondiwindi Hawks and the sixth placed Warwick Redback’s is a season defining game. With both sides technically in fifth place with only a mere 12.98% separating these two finals contender, getting the four premiership points doesn’t get more important than this game.
Both sides are similar in defence, only averaging 78points against in eleven games. The Hawks boast the more potent forward set up averaging 105-points a game, while the Reddies aren’t far behind averaging 94-points a game. A win in this game to either side will see the victors more than likely play finals, while the losers may miss out.
WHERE AND WHEN
Roddies Oval, Jackie Howe Drive Warwick – 2:30pm
LAST THREE CLASHES
Round 11, 2013 – Warwick 11.7 (73) def. by Goondiwindi 26.9 (165)
Round 18, 2012 – Warwick 17.15 (117) def. Goondiwindi 8.7 (55)
Round 8, 2012 – Goondiwindi 3.4 (22) def. by Warwick 27.13 (175)
THREE KEY POINTS
1. Warwick must stop David O’Toole who booted 13-goals from the midfield in a best on ground performance during the Round 11 clash between these two. O’Toole is averaging 5.3 goals a game and is the Hawks number one go to man, stopping this high-flying Hawk is a key to victory for the Reddies.
2. Alex Cutmore to run fellow giant Troy Millard off his feet, Millard is one of the best tap ruckman in the competition but must go with the hard running Cutmore to nullify his influence. Alex Cutmore is one of the top rucks in the competition and his ability to move around the ground is what makes him so damaging. Cutmore would be a short-priced favourite for the Reddies “BnF”, Hawks must watch.
3. Both sides have playing coaches and whichever Coach can get the balance right between playing and tactical moves will give their side the advantage, season shaping point!
Preview: Bombers V. Lions
South Toowoomba looking for revenge, as Lions look to keep minor finals hope alive.
SUMMARY
Highfields are roaring and fresh, the Lions will be going into their clash with South Toowoomba full of confidence. The last time they met, only two weeks ago the Lions were hungrier, more efficient and played as a team downing the Bombers by 26-points. Bombers on the other hand are also confident after a massive 24-goal win over the ninth placed Saints. Highfields are on a two-game winning streak, while the Bombers are coming off the clubs most horrid month in their history.
Can Highfields continue their mid-season rise and have the Bombers found the hunger to win again? Only time will tell in this captivating contest.
WHERE AND WHEN
Rockville Oval, Tor Street Toowoomba – 2:30pm
LAST THREE CLASHES
Round 11, 2013 – Highfields 15.6 (96) def. South Toowoomba 11.4 (70)
Round 18, 2012 – Highfields 4.5 (29) def. by South Toowoomba 21.17 (143)
Round 8, 2012 – South Toowoomba 16.4 (100) def. Highfields 9.6 (60)
THREE KEY POINTS
1. In the last three matches reigning Green Medallist Dan McPhee has averaged 8-goals a game against the Lions. Highfields continued the season pattern of a loose player in front of the key forward but McPhee still chipped in with 6. The key, muscle up with McPhee.
2. Highfields need to continue their hard at the footy attitude as this put the young Bombers on the back foot. The hardness of Bianchi, Rooney and Watts was the difference in the Round 11 meeting and no doubt Coach Johnson will be looking to his pride to follow in the trio’s footsteps.
3. First quarter lead, whichever side can get the superiority up first at the minor break will hold a mental edge over their opponents. Both sides have youth, pace and talented players, it will all come down to who wants it more!
Preview: Cougars V. Saints
Saints looking for top scalp, University look to flex their muscles.
SUMMARY
University have been teaching (nearly every) sides a lesson all season on hard running, sling-shot footy and looking like the team that will challenge the undefeated Roo’s. Standing in their way though is the gritty South Burnett Saints and they are ready to claim the premiership points over a flag fancied side.
Saints Coach Humbler will have his troops firing for this contest, as the 2-9 Saints look to skip away from the Wooden spoon in their maiden season.
WHERE AND WHEN
USQ Oval, Baker Street Toowoomba – 2:30pm
LAST THREE CLASHES
Round 6, 2013 – South Burnett 8.3 (51) def. by University 24.17 (161)
* No other meeting
THREE KEY POINTS
1. Luke Brumley the in-and-under midfielder that goes unnoticed in a star studded line-up that includes Davis, Gniel, Timmer and Reilly. Brumley has played in all 10-matches in season 2013 and the defensive midfielder has put on size over the off-season making him hard to match up on, one to watch for the Saints coaching staff.
2. The “veteran” of the Saints Adam Bowater, the experienced campaigner from the Eastern and Southern Leagues in Victoria continues to dominate at the age of 43. Bowater is another in-and-under type player that is teaching the way for the young Saints. If South Burnett are to march to victory today, they need this Saint with his hands on the footy.
3. Defence is the key for the Saints, University are the highest averaging scoring team in the competition with 126.1points per game. South Burnett will need to lock down on Heath Gniel, another superstar veteran lining up in this game and can decide a game on his own boot.
Preview: Roo’s V. Suns
Can the Roo’s go Eleven Straight or can the Suns cause the upset of the season?
SUMMARY
Coolaroo are the premiership favourites going into Round 13 fixtures and will come up against the Eleventh placed Chinchilla Suns at the home of the Roo’s Gold Park. Coolaroo’s season cannot be faulted and looks like the team most likely to take the flag off three-time reigning premiers the Toowoomba Tigers. Coolaroo are bouncing high from structural to ball movement to personnel they are the team to beat.
But in their way is another team, determined to show that they can match it with the big-boys. Enter Chinchilla, the Suns are rising and it will be a few seasons before they can match it game for game with the regular contenders. Though the Suns have shown they can match anyone but have lacked consistency and no doubt have addressed that at training during the week.
WHERE AND WHEN
Gold Park, Hume Street Toowoomba – 2:30pm
LAST THREE CLASHES
Round 5, 2013 – Chinchilla 2.6 (18) def. by Coolaroo 19.10 (124)
* No other meeting
THREE KEY POINTS
1. Phil Driese, the 2007 Holman Medallist is having another superb season as the outside midfielder continues to be unstoppable. Either that be through the midfield or if he is tagged then he pushes forward where he has booted 30-goals this season. Driese is one of three keys to the Coolaroo undefeated season so far.
2. “Hartwig, Kratzmann and Muir” the message must be clear, get the footy to this trio. All three, as long as they line up for Suns will be a headache for the Roo’s. All three are the “hard to match up” type midfielders and are damaging when pushing forward. Let them roam free at your own will!
3. Penetrate the Roo’s brick wall, it is tough ask everyone else in the competition. Coolaroo only average 46-points against this season and they have played everyone. How do you break down a strong defensive zone? Go through it and the Suns must risk everything if they are to create the upset of the season.
Byes: Dalby Swans, Lockyer Valley Demons, Toowoomba Tigers
Last Modified on 19/07/2013 15:49
