It shapes up as one of the most intense rounds of Allied Pickford's action in a long time with a traffic jam from fourth to seventh, with South Toowoomba and Dalby both needing a wins to keep their season alive but even a win won't guarantee finals action.
South Toowoomba V University
Head to Head (since 2010)
Played nine including two finals - University 5 wins | South Toowoomba 4 wins
South Toowoomba have had a season to forget but won’t want it to be ending so soon. On the other hand though University are gunning for the Minor Premiership and setting their sights on the intriguing Qualifying Final in two weeks’ time. The Cougars can’t get ahead of themselves though and must first focus on the task at hand.
The reason behind the Bombers failure this year is they have lacked two key targets up forward and they have been so dominate in the seasons past due to this. Now South’s have one key man Dan McPhee and he is an absolute super-star, booting 108-goals so far this season but he has no support. What is worrying for South Toowoomba is that second place on the clubs goal-kicking list is offensive winger Jeremy Crow who has kicked 13 this year and third place has 10 and isn’t even playing.
Cougars key to victory, stop McPhee and the Bombers have no-answers or do they? South Toowoomba went the surprise packet last week starting Dan McPhee in the ruck, this worked for one quarter but had no avenue to goal there-after.
University aren’t a team of just one or two great players, what makes them so successful this year is the sides well-balanced line up and their depth! The gap from their number one player to number twenty-two on the team sheet isn’t as far between as the Bombers.
University love the free-flowing type of footy that the Bombers use to play so well, that is why Baker Street suits the Cougars. Last time these sides met at Rockville Oval was the 2010 Preliminary Final where the Bombers won in a thriller and of that 2010 team only six players remain.
If South Toowoomba win they are guaranteed the four premiership points and should finish in fifth or even fourth depending on results. If University win they secure the minor premiership and will enjoy a week off while the Bombers start their off-season before September even begins.
Prediction: University by 25-36
Coolaroo V Dalby
Head to Head (since 2010)
Played seven - Coolaroo 7 wins | Dalby 0 wins
Looking at the past record since 2010, that statistic shows a domination like no-other but Coolaroo mustn’t come into this clash lightly. Dalby have been labelled the “Gold Coast SUNS” of the 2013 DD competition, the giant killers. They are a young side that is brave and takes the game on at all costs. The young Swannies love the open space and so do the Roo’s but will the veteran’s from the navy blues be able to keep up with the young-pup Swannies?
Dalby will come into this clash with extra incentive, win and they could pull off one of the biggest miracles and play finals. Coolaroo’s incentive, minor premiership.
So, who has more incentive to win? Dalby or Coolaroo. Resting players now by the Roo’s and losing, could upset the all-important momentum and wouldn’t want to go out like they did last year in straight sets during finals. Dalby on the other hand will go out there and play their normal care-free, free flowing style of footy. No expectations on the Swans but Coolaroo have high expectations both internal and external.
Tom Rudolph is Coolaroo’s number one player, who has proven on a number of occasions this season that he is their X-factor and can slice open games on just his left foot. Rudolph proved this last week during the second quarter when he alone put South Toowoomba to sword in a mesmerising performance. He also has support acts in Dreise and Grice who have won their own share of individual accolades over the years but Rudolph is their key.
Swannies on the other hand have the hard running, well-balanced and skilful young midfielder in Sam Rockliff. Rockliff has been in superb form throughout 2013 and gives the Swans the drive from the engine room. No doubt we will hear his name called out on Holman Medal night as he will surely pick up 2’s or 3’s in each of the Swannies victories.
Last chance for Dalby to make the unexpected and last chance for Coolaroo to gain the all-important momentum going into the 2013 Finals series.
Prediction: Coolaroo by 13-24
Warwick V Toowoomba
Head to Head (since 2010)
Played nine, includes two finals – Warwick 3 wins | Toowoomba 6 wins
Warwick verses Toowoomba in what would normally be labelled as the game of the round. The third placed Tigers face recent arch rivals Reddies at the all new Roddies Oval. Warwick will play finals in 2013 after a brief absence in 2012 unless they lose and the unlikely happens of South Toowoomba and Dalby upsetting the top 2 teams.
Warwick started the season on-fire going 5-0 through the first six rounds but fell into a mid-season slump but have been flying under the radar now for some time. With the new look club house and Roddies Oval claiming the tag of best regional facility on the Downs, they have been refreshed and storming up the ladder.
On the other side Toowoomba have been “doing their thing” and going about their business as they look to their fourth consecutive premiership tilt. In the past the Tigers may have flown under the radar but not this year, everyone knows the Tigers love to finish in third which guarantees them a second chance now and a continuation of games throughout the finals series. The three-time premiers are similar to University they have a well-balanced side, with a tremendous depth across the squad.
Tigers have been well lead by Michael O’Donoghue Jr, but a player that goes about his business without any fuss is the hard-running and smart Timothy Colebatch. Colebatch has torn teams about with his team first mantra putting his body on the line week in week out, setting the example for the young Tigers coming through.
A young-gun the Tigers will have to pay close attention to though is early season favourite for the Holman medal in Tim Tate. At only 17-years of age, Tate is your modern day football player. Skilful both inside and out, can run all day and quick off the mark superb both contested and uncontested. One Toowoomba coaching staff may need to nullify to keep momentum going their way.
Prediction: Toowoomba by 37-48
Lockyer Valley V Highfields
Head to Head (since 2010)
Played seven – Lockyer Valley 0 wins | Highfields 7 wins
Highfields have roared in every contest between these two clubs since 2010 and today Lockyer Valley have more to play for than the Lions.
The Demons are in a battle with Chinchilla for the dreaded wooden-spoon and victory today won’t only secure four premiership points but avoid the spoon. Highfields on the other hand will be looking to take some much needed momentum going into the off-season, as they start to plan their 2014 campaign.
For the Demons they are a well-balanced outfit with the talent spread right across the entire playing group as each player that plays each week puts in as much as the next guy. Lockyer has a heap of up and coming talent through their junior ranks and maybe a good game to expose a few of these young-stars against a side not playing finals.
The Lions are coming off a 60-point loss to the Redbacks and will be looking to their ‘go-to-men’ to lead them to victory in Clinton Watts and Mac Chimes. Both can lay claims to the number one player tag at Highfields but from here the depth falls away. The influence of both Watts and Chimes will go a long way in deciding this Round 18 contest.
Damien Morris is the star Demon but is well supported by Harley Hicks and Chris Tapper. Morris has carried the Demons in the first few seasons but this year has been relieved of the heavy lifting somewhat by Hicks and Tapper. Tapper and Hicks along with Morris will need to have a major effect on this game if the Demons are to finish their season off on a high. Consistency will be the key for both sides along with an even contribution across the entire playing list.
Prediction: Lockyer Valley by 1-12
South Burnett V Chinchilla
Head to Head (since 2010)
Played one – South Burnett 1 win | Chinchilla 0 wins
The battle of the new-comers Cup, which of the new sides will finish their inaugural season on a high and which side will go into the off-season without the taste of victory. South Burnett currently hold the honours over the Suns, as the Saints marched to victory in the labelled “Thriller in Chinchilla”.
Both sides have lacked a key forward and would have been more damaging had they had one. The Saints are definitely improved unit and even though they didn’t reach their much advertised goal of eight wins they can still hold their heads high after an impressive 2013. Chinchilla can do the same, though only one victory to date they have operated fantastically in a tough market.
So, who can take the honours the New-Comers Cup?
The Saints are silky skilled and like to run, while the Suns prefer the stoppages, with a hard physical game. South Burnett have genuine Holman medal hopeful in Adam Bowater. Bowater is your classic modern footballer and has been the driving force behind the three-Saints wins. He has also had fantastic support from the likes of Alexander Totton and Ty Snow both classy up and coming stars of the game.
Chinchilla have a number of potential match winners none more so than James Kratzmann. The ‘J-Krat’ factor is what any team would love to have in the competition. He can play at both ends of the ground either as a small or key position and is fit. Kratzmann will need support from the usuals in Muir, Woodgate and Parker if they are to knock off the marching Saints.
Prediction: South Burnett by 13-24
Last Modified on 02/09/2013 08:48
