By TRENT SLATTER | THE CHRONICLE
DALBY proved it could yet play a part in the AFL Darling Downs finals with a tenacious 13.7 (85) to 7.13 (55) victory over the Toowoomba Tigers at Rockville Park on Saturday.
The Swans were in front at every change as they claimed an historic first win over the three-time premiers.
Dalby has now won three if its past four games, including victories over both of last year's grand finalists in South Toowoomba and the Tigers.
They also went within seven points of competition leaders Coolaroo in a controversial round six clash.
But Dalby is still eight competition points behind fifth-placed Goondiwindi, despite the Hawks' 21.15 (141) to 8.4 (52) loss to Coolaroo.
A near-perfect first quarter wasn't enough for the Hawks to end Coolaroo's unbeaten run in the first senior AFLDD match played in Pittsworth.
Goondiwindi kicked 5.0 to 3.3 in the opening term but the Roos soon lifted their intensity and bounded home with nine unanswered goals in the third quarter.
The result helps to keep Warwick's finals hopes alive after the Redbacks held out South Burnett 11.11 (77) to 9.12 (66) in a heated contest at Kingaroy.
Warwick trailed by five goals early in the second quarter but the efforts of Kurt Millard and Cam Peterson (eight goals) helped the visitors to a hard-fought win.
In the weekend's other matches, Heath Gneil (12) and Sam Banim (eight) were brilliant in front of goal as University proved too strong for Lockyer Valley 37.20 (242) to 0.2 (2).
And Highfields notched a 19.2 (116) to 7.12 (54) triumph over Chinchilla.
AFLDD Ladder: Coolaroo 48, University 44, South Toowoomba 32, Toowoomba Tigers 32, Goondiwindi 28, Warwick 28, Dalby 20, Highfields 20, South Burnett 8, Lockyer Valley 4, Chinchilla 4.
Photo by Kev Farmer
Last Modified on 29/07/2013 08:40
