It’s business time! After 5 months of travelling across the Downs with the result often expected prior to the first bounce, we’ve hit finals time and it’s now or never. Two finals highlight Allied Pickfords Cup action, while the Reserves Grand Final will also be played.
Qualifying Final – Coolaroo Roos v Toowoomba Tigers. Gold Park @ 2:30pm
So Far in 2013: Round 11: Roos 19.6 (120) d Tigers 4.7 (31)
Both sides locked away their finals appearances a number of weeks ago, with the Roos dropping top spot with their only loss so far this season back in Round 15. For the Tigers, the much talked about ‘build to the finals’ has been in fine form as they have been slipping under the radar due to the Roos & Cougars early season form. Although their last matchup was a blowout in favour of the Roos,, the result should be considerably different this time.
Holman Medal favourite Patrick Walton will be crucial to the Tigers if they want a crack at the Major Semi Final. His big body and attack on the contest is what has won the Tigers premierships over the past three seasons, however that has dropped off a bit this season.
Up forward, both sides have multiple avenues to goal, however Coolaroo boast the bigger names in Milo Grice, Tom Rudolph, Phil Dreise and the ever improving Adam Green. If one of these boys are stopped, the others will step up, requiring a strong team defensive effort from the Tigers. For the Tigers, Michael O’Donoghue is the leading goalscorer with just 33 for the season (still an average of over 2 per game mind you!), with many of their midfielders pushing down to register their name on the scoreboard.
Expert Tips: Webby – Coolaroo; Jeffro – Tigers; Davo – Coolaroo
Elimination Final – Warwick Redbacks v Goondiwindi Hawks. Roddies Oval @ 2:30pm
So Far in 2013: Round 11: Hawks 25.9 (159) d Redbacks 11.7 (73); Round 13: Hawks 8.11 (59) d Redbacks 7.9 (51)
The Elimination Final sees two sides who will be thrilled to just make the finals after a nervous wait last Saturday. After Warwick’s loss and Goondiwindi’s bye, both sides had to hope Dalby & South Toowoomba did not cause an upset. Now that they’re locked away, whichever side an focus on the game at hand the best will inevitably come out the victors.
For the Redbacks to win, Dave O’Toole is the man to stop. He has kicked 83 goals, including 5 bags of over half a dozen. He is a big body, with a superb set of hands, however his downside is probably his attitude if things start to not go his way. If the Redbacks can get on top of him early he will likely go missing and struggle to cause a serious impact.
The Redbacks have the brigade of smalls led by Tyhe Clarkson & young gun Tim Tate who provide tons of outside run, as well as getting their own contested footy. Stopping their influence will be crucial for the Hawks if they want to get to round 2 action.
Expert Tips: Webby – Warwick; Jeffro – Warwick; Davo – Goondiwindi
Photo courtesy of the Warwick Daily News
Reserve Grade Grand Final – University Cougars v Coolaroo Roos. Gold Park @ 5:00pm
So Far in 2013: Round 4: Cougars 6.4 (40) d Cougars 4.3 (27); Round 9: Cougars 13.9 (87) d Roos 6.7 (43); Round 12: Cougars 21.14 (140) d Roos 3.4 (22); Cougars 8.10 (58) d Roos 7.6 (48)
The Adrian Jericho Shield is once again up for grabs with the two clubs who have best embraced the concept again playing off in the Grand Final. The exact lineup of both teams is somewhat of an unknown given only 2 games are required to be played to qualify for the final. The Cougars will likely have the upper hand given any players who are eligible will not have had to backup from an A Grade final.
In 2012 the Sudanese influence was what won the Cougars the game with plenty of pace across the ground proving too much. With less players involved in the competition this year it won’t prove as tough for the Roos to combat, however it will still be there.
The last time these sides played for points (in Round 15), the margin never exceeded 2 goals and proved to be very high quality football. Expect a similar contest as both sides look to get their hands on the first of two pieces of silverware on offer this season.
Expert Tips: Webby – University; Jeffro – University; Davo - University
Last Modified on 04/09/2013 12:05
