AFL Darling Downs media cast their eye of this week's Allied Pickford's action, with both finals high stake clashes. With a Grand-Final spot up for grabs between recent rivals University and Coolaroo head-lining, the reigning premiers Tigers and Warwick go into battle in the no second chance blockbuster.
Qualifying Final - University Cougars V Coolaroo @ Baker Street, 2:30pm
The two form teams of the entire Allied Pickford's premiership season meet in a game that could well be the last time these two sides meet in 2013. Losing this game could spell the end of the road with the loser having to face either the three-time reigning premiers Toowoomba or Warwick in the Preliminary Final next week.
Before either side worry about that, they must face the task at hand.
The ledger for 2013 is at one-a-piece, with University recording the win last time they met. Just over a month ago it was a top of the table blockbuster that was decided at the halfway point of the second quarter. A six-goal burst saw the Cougars open up a five-goal lead going into the major break and the Roos were unable to claw their way back into the contest.
Centre-half back Josh Timmer led the way for the home side, as the Cougars general directed play but in the end he was only a support act as Cougars skipper Al Rielly along with Heath Gniel and Joel Yosh booted four each to sink the Roos. For Coolaroo Tom Rudolph was the lone-warrior booting six-goals, which in the end turned out to be half the Roos majors for the afternoon. Both Michael Casey and former Cougar Barry Janetzki were also impressive.
The Cougars key to their success in 2013 has been their potency when in attack with an even number of goal scorers each week. The usual suspects of Gniel (71), Rielly (40) and Yosh (35) have all been damaging and all targeted by opposition sides. But it is young small-forward/mid Sam Banim who has been the quiet destroyer.
Not anymore, with Banim averaging near three goals per game along with his fellow forwards, he will surely be closely checked by the Coolaroo defenders. Adding to the Cougars potency up forward is their midfield depth along with their superb defence, which is number one in 2013. University are a well drilled and balanced line up, no doubt that is why all the AFLDD media tipsters have picked the minor premiers.
Coolaroo were the premiership favourites until University blasted them off the park in the second quarter in their Round 15 encounter. The Roos are the number one attacking side in 2013 averaging 136-points per game and will be looking to star forwards in Tom Rudolph, Miels Grice and Adam Green who have all torn opposition sides apart this season.
Roos have a major weapon in '07 Holman Medallist Phil Driese who is a ball magnet and can kick big bags of goals but their under the radar player who doesn't receive the accolades of the big four is the young swing-man in Michael Casey.
Michael Casey is similar to Collingwood defender Ben Reid, Casey has only played in 12 of the Roos 17 matches this year but claims the title as the best Swing-man in the competition. As a defender he has claimed some of the biggest scalps in Dan McPhee and Dave O'Toole but as a forward he has bagged 26 including a tally of six and two hauls of four. Not bad for a player in only his second year. Michael Casey's influence will be a key if the Roos are to come away from Baker Street with a victory.
Check out who the AFL DD tipsters picked this weekend across all finals
Knockout Semi-Final - Toowoomba Tigers V Warwick Redbacks @ Rockville Oval, 2:30pm
It will be a replay of the 2011 Grand-Final as the three-time reigning premiers the Toowoomba Tigers face the Warwick Redbacks in a elimination semi-final at the home of footy on the Downs. Inaccuracy along with wasted opportunities hindered the Tigers opportunity of advancing to the Qualifying Final to face University and must defeat Warwick if they are even a shot at going for, four straight flags.
Toowoomba won't mind having to play continuously throughout the finals to win a flag, as all three of their premierships, they have had to play every week of the finals.
Both of these sides have met twice in 2013 with the Tigers coming away with comfortable victories, first a 10-goal win at home followed by a gutsy 4-goal victory at Roddies Oval. In these losses it has been the midfield duo of Kurt Millard and Tim Tate who have been the standout Redbacks, while Tigers skipper Michael O'Donoghue Jr along with Timothy Colebatch who have run-a-muck on the physical Warwick outfit.
Don't expect a blow-out result in this clash, as both sides know what it takes to win finals. AFLDD tipsters have all tipped the premiers by four-five goals with the last time these sides meeting in finals, both sides took their own biccies but Tigers took the biggest of all, the premiership Cup. Warwick may use this defeat nearly 24-months ago as fuel for the contest.
But they will need more than just redemption fuel if they are to advance deeper into September action.
For Warwick their keys to success are Millard, Alex Cutmore and Tate but the rarely talked about influence of Tyhe Clarkson will also be pivotal if the Reddies are to win. Clarkson is your typcial no-frills type of player that goes about his business and gets the job done. The former University player has given the Redbacks plenty of drive with his first class run and carry. Along with Clarkson Warwick will need veterans Jason Wright and Nick Donges to be lively up forward to give the Redbacks hope.
For Toowoomba, they are a well balanced line up where everyone knows their role and does it to near perfection. They have a number of players to thank for their very consistent season in Colebatch, O'Donoghue, Walton along with veteran Daniel McErvale. But for the Tigers their sleeping giant is in Co-Captain Nicholas Talbot.
Talbot isn't the most skilful player in the competition but what he does is leads by example. His attack and aggression at the footy is first class, at times it is questioned brave or silly? His team first mentality both on and off field is what any club would love to have, Talbot will be important in the Tigers aspirations towards a fourth straight flag and must be watched closely by the Redbacks.
Losing this game will start the off-season as the winner will have the daunting task of facing either University or Coolaroo.
Photo: Coolaroo Football Club FACEBOOK PAGE - Young Cougar Stuart Huggins looks to get the footy away as Roos Harry Marshall attempts to tackle during the last meeting between these two sides.
Last Modified on 12/09/2013 16:32
