Finals are upon us and AFL Darling Downs media department preview week 1 of the Under 14’s McDonald’s Shield finals. Two blockbusters headline week 1 of the finals as Highfields go head to head with Dalby and South Toowoomba and University go into battle at Roddies Oval.
Qualifying Semi-Final
Highfields Lions V Dalby Swans @ Gold Park, 11:00am
This shapes up as an interesting battle and picking a winner is no easy feat. Dalby come into this game as the number one attacking side in the McDonald’s Shield, averaging 107.5points a game but will scoring be easy against the Lions? Statistics say no, as Highfields are ranked the competitions number one defensive side, averaging only 21.9points against them.
Sixty-one, is the highest score kicked against the Lions in 2013 and these two sides have only faced each other once, that is way back in Round four. Dalby could only manage 7.3-45, nearly double the average against Highfields as the Lions ran away 5-goal victors.
Ryan Cherry was the destroyer that day, creating headaches deep inside 50, as the young star booted a personal best 8-goal haul. Mitchell Wren and Nathan Cherry where the work horses in the engine room in round four, creating a lot of dash and drive from the middle.
For the Swans Angel Lucas and Will Gillespie were the two best a-field for the home side, running amuck in the middle but lacked support.
Highfields bring in some momentum after two impressive wins to finish off the home and away season, while Dalby finished with a big defeat to minor premiers Coolaroo. Will form count for anything come finals?
A key matchup will be the Lions Finn Collison verses Dalby’s Thomas Matthews. These two players might not go head to head on the field but both club leading goal-kickers will play a pivotal role inside the forward fifty for their respective sides. Whichever of these two star forwards can create the most damage, be that kicking goals or score involvements, their influence will go a long way in deciding the final result.
Elimination Final
South Toowoomba Bombers V University Cougars @ Roddies Oval, 11:00am
It will be a case of déjà vu, as the McDonald’s Shield Round 18 opponents face each other again but this time there is no tomorrow.
13-points were all that separated these two sides, as the fast finishing Bombers weren’t able to sneak over the line. Inaccuracy in front of goal was the major hurdle for the Bombers, as the Cougars capitalised inside forward fifty. Josephine Alery and Emmanuel Wek were outstanding and stood tall in the final stages, helping University secure the Round 18 victory and take the much need momentum into this week’s Elimination Final.
The Round-18 loss was the Bombers third in four weeks after losses to both Coolaroo and Dalby. The young Bombers relied heavily on super star Ryan Neumann (pictured) who has done a mountain of work but has been well supported by Bradon Hess and Hamish McDougall. For the Cougars they have abundance of stars but their strength is their balance across the entire list. Which in the end a well balanced team wins flags, just ask the Sydney Swans.
Two key match-ups will decide this game, the first, is the battle of the ‘in and under’ players.
Andrew Bani-Freeman (Uni) Vs. Nic Jones (Souths)
Both players go unnoticed by many but to their coaches both of these players are priceless to their sides. Andrew and Nic are both fearless and put the team first before themselves. Both players are skilful below their knees and are fierce tacklers. Whichever of these two bull-dog type players can have the most impact will give their side the much needed advantage.
Abdullah Haddad (Uni) Vs.Jordan Myles (Souths)
Another key matchup will be the dual of the outside runners. Both Haddad and Myles have proven on a number of occasions the importance of their run and carry style game. Haddad and Myles both read the game beyond their years and create an attacking style similar that of the Brisbane Lions Pearce Hanley, they might not go head to head but the player who can gain the most metres may just get his side over the line.
It will be an intriguing battle, which will no doubt go down to the wire, one worth the trip to Warwick to watch. Good luck picking a winner here!
Last Modified on 04/09/2013 12:05
