THE CHRONICLE | 12 AUGUST 2013
THE AFL Darling Downs top five is no closer to being decided with four teams now on 32 competition points after the weekend's matches.
South Toowoomba (4th), Dalby (5th), Warwick (6th) and Goondiwindi (7th) will fight it out over the last two rounds as they attempt to lock up a finals berth.
Despite currently holding fourth spot, the Bombers face an uphill battle to make the finals after suffering a 16.17 (113) to 7.12 (54) loss to the Toowoomba Tigers.
Souths showed plenty of fight to trail by just nine points at quarter time before the Tigers piled on the goals to shut the Bombers out of the contest.
The result all but assures the Tigers will finish the season in third and opens the door for one of the regional clubs to leapfrog Souths into finals contention.
Dalby showed just why it could be a force come September with a 46.14 (290) to 2.2 (14) pummelling of Chinchilla.
Teenage stars Harry Milford (13 goals) and Daniel Mauch (eight) were unstoppable as the Swans moved up two places on the ladder to fifth.
But it was a tough weekend for Goondiwindi's finals aspirations as the Hawks went down 21.13 (139) to 6.3 (39) to competition leaders University.
The Hawks couldn't on the board in the first quarter as Uni, led by Joel Yosh with seven goals, tightened their grip on the minor premiership.
In the weekend's other games, South Burnett celebrated its first victory at home with a 24.25 (169) to 8.7 (55) triumph over Lockyer Valley.
Brad Edwards (seven) and Paul Pressnell (five) were in fine touch as the Saints proved too strong for the Demons.
And a 10-goal haul to Adam Green inspired second-placed Coolaroo to a big victory over Highfields.
AFLDD LADDER
After round 16:
University 52, Coolaroo 52, Tigers 40, South Toowoomba 32, Dalby, 32, Warwick 32, Goondiwindi 32, Highfields 20, South Burnett 12, Lockyer Valley 4, Chinchilla 4.
PHOTO Couretsy of Dave Noonan: Souths’ Jarred Newman tries to stop Tigers player Steven Craige getting a ball away in Saturday’s AFLDD clash at Rockville Park.
Last Modified on 23/08/2013 11:56
