South Toowoomba Bombers v Toowoomba Tigers
Last Time - Round 1: South Toowoomba 9.20 (74) d Tigers 9.8 (62)
Last year’s grand finalists face off in the Round 16 match of the round, one which will have some serious bearing on the makeup of the final 5. Tigers currently sit in 3rd place on the table, with South Toowoomba just one win behind them in 4th. It is the form of the two clubs however which shift the favouritism square in the yellow & black corner. Since South Toowoomba’s Round 8 win over Warwick, they have faced 5 sides out of the top 5, and lost 3 of them. In a league which traditionally has had two defined tiers, these unexpected losses have helped blur the line in the middle. The Tigers have also lost a couple of matches, but to slightly more fancied sides in Coolaroo & Dalby.
Jeff Neumann has left the Bombers midfield, placing a heavy reliance on Bradon Behan to step up and run the show himself, no easy feat. If the Bombers are to remain in the hunt for a top 5 berth, his mates in the middle Ben Newman & Tasman Myles will be required to step up.
For the Tigers, a win here will go very close to locking away 3rd position on the ladder and a spot in the Qualifying Final on August 31. For the Tigers, Stephen Harbort & Patrick Walton provide plenty of two-way running, helping to cover the expanses of Rockville Oval.
Our Tip: Tigers by 13 – 24
University Cougars v Goondiwindi Hawks
Last Time – Round 1: University 13.10 (88) d Goondiwindi10.12 (72)
Traditional rivals University & Goondiwindi face off for the first time since their Round 1 encounter. That Round 1 match was the first which made the competition stand up and take notice when Goondiwindi pushed the Cougars until a couple of late goals sealed the expected result. Despite the promising results, the Hawks have not yet beaten a side above them on the ladder (other than the Redbacks whom they trail by just 12%). This is a statistic they will be keen to reverse in their last serious hitout before hopefully returning to the finals in 2013.
This clash is one which features big bodies right across the ground, highlighted by battles at each end of the ground. At one end, Cougars skipper Alan Reilly will face off against Hawks coach Brenton Jardine, while at the other Dave O’Toole will be matched up on by the finally injury-free Cory Balnaves. Despite these intriguing battles, the younger Hawks will have to be careful to not be exposed by University’s running on the big wings of the USQ AFL Oval.
Our Tip: University by 25 – 36
South Burnett Saints v Lockyer Valley Demons
Last Time: Round 1: South Burnett 15.9 (99) d Lockyer Valley 9.7 (61)
Last time these sides played, as a club South Burnett had a 1 from 1 record, something which has changed dramatically since. The Demons could be forgiven for taking the new boys a little too easily, knowing how long they strived for their first victory. But not this time. The Demons will be desperate to match their tally of 2 wins from last season and ensure they remain no hope of taking back the wooden spoon they last held in 2011.
For the Saints, they have found themselves on the wrong end of a double-bye and will need to make a fast start. Coach Steve Humbler set his troops for 6 wins at home in season 2013. This has not eventuated, but it’s something he will be keen to change with the tally currently sitting at zero.
The Demons will be keen to ensure Damien Morris makes the trip as he has been superb for the club again this season and will face a great matchup with Saints half-back Alex Totton.
Our Tip: South Burnett by 13 – 24
Dalby Swans v Chinchilla SUNS
Last Time: Dalby 26.18 (174) d Chinchilla 5.3 (33)
The young Dalby Swans are swimming, winning 5 of their past 6 games, including 3 victories over last year’s grand finalists. These victories have kept the Swans in the hunt for their first finals berth since who knows when. Harry Milford has been a revelation up forward as a 16 year old, kicking 10 goals in the past 2 games.
The sun has set on the SUNS inaugural season, with the wheels well and truly falling off. Hopefully having a couple of weeks off the paddock has reinvigorated the passion that drove the club to get off of the ground. Chinchilla has put in a couple of great performances at home this year and given the short journey to Swans Oval, a competitive result is hopeful.
Our Tip: Dalby by 61+
Highfields Lions v Coolaroo Roos
Last Time: Coolaroo 31.10 (196) d Highfields 11.4 (70)
This match is the one expected to return the greatest result, with Coolaroo very keen to return to the winners circle and do it with a percentage booster. After their first loss for season 2013, the Roos have fallen 55 percentage points behind the minor premiership. Given this week is the only point of difference between the Cougars & Roos fixtures, expect a determined navy blue outfit to take to Kratzke Oval.
For Highfields, pulling together a full team has been a struggle at times. The focus now should be on building for 2014, by trying some players in new positions, blooding some youngsters and instilling a disciplined approach to football.
Our Tip: Coolaroo by 61+
Last Modified on 23/08/2013 11:55
