Week three of finals action is upon us, with only three teams remaining in each age division, one side is already through to the big decider. AFL Darling Downs media take a look at each game that will decide the other Grand-Finalists.
Under 12's McDonald's Trophy
Highfields V Dalby @ Rockville Oval, 9:45am
Reigning Premiers Dalby face the Highfields Lions, in what is only the second encounter for these two sides in 2013. Last time they met the Swans soared to a 42-point victory, as Josh Halling led the way upfront booting four of his sides nine goals. Jared Jeitz was best a-field for the Swans with the classy left foot midfielder booting three majors and dominating with clearances.
Lions skipper Lachlan Davies was again best-a-field for the Lions, while Will Evans and Will Sheath were also solid contributors in the Round 4 clash.
That round four game saw the Swans propel to first on the ladder and the Lions slip to fourth, now nearly four months later both sides are playing off for a spot to play Coolaroo in the premiership decider. Where will each club gain the advantage?
Star Player: For Highfields, Lachlan Davies is the go to man and is a genuine match winner. His contested ball winning ability is first class along with his run and carry.
For Dalby, Jared Jeitz is the main Swan, the silky left footer has sliced opposition teams apart in 2013 and can go forward and kick goals much like Davies from Highfields.
X-Factor: Zimmorlei Farquharson, the young female Swan provides a lot dash and her metres gained per game would be more than any other player in the McDonald's Trophy.
For Highfields, Theodore Baldock, the raw half forward/back flanker provides a contest each time he is around the footy and is often the one at the bottom of the pack.
Under 14's McDonald's Shield
Highfields V Dalby @ Rockville Oval, 11:00am
Highfields and Dalby again line up against each other but this time in the McDonald's Shield, similar to the Under 12's, these two powerhouse Under 14 sides haven't met since the Round 4 encounter. While both sides went on to win nine games to finish the season.
This Preliminary is head-lined by two sides that are ranked number one, in defence (Highfields) and in attack (Dalby) in 2013. The highest score kicked against the Lions throughout the season was just 61 points by the now eliminated Bombers, the average score against Highfields in 2013 is a mere 24.1-points per game. For Dalby, the Swans have kicked an incredible 101-points on average per game.
Dalby have an even spread of goal-kickers with skipper Tom Matthews leading the way on 66-goals while Joseph McVeigh (28), Henry Burt (27) and Michael Glasby (21) all even contributors for the season thus far. Finn Collison is the Lions go-to-man inside forward 50 booting 53 majors so far, while centre half-forward Tom Clark (23) and midfielder/flanker Ryan Cherry (37) have also been damaging in front of the sticks.
Star Player: For Dalby it is their skipper and Queensland representative Tom Matthews, he is the all round player. Matthews can play all key positions yet play as a small, hard to much up against.
The Lions Sam Baldock, recently crowned Fairest and Best for the club, his ball winning ability and clean hands, makes Baldock the star Lion.
X-Factor: Brigid Gaur, hard running, provides a contest and long left foot, can be erratic at times but don't get in her way.
For Highfields centre-half forward Tom Clark is the x-factor, similar game style to that of Nick Reiwoldt with his hard running and second and third efforts, along with his clean marking overhead, Clark will create headaches for the Swans defence.
Under 16's McDonald's Cup
Dalby V Warwick @ Rockville Oval, 12:30pm
Dalby were handed their first loss of 2013 when Roos forward James Sprason booted home a major in the last 30 seconds of last weeks match to secure a two-point victory. Now the Redbacks have the mammoth task of facing a Swans side that is coming off a disappointing loss.
Both sides have a number of up and coming stars and no doubt they will feature in their clubs senior sides in years to come, for now though a Preliminary Final is on the line and a shot at the 2013 decider.
Milford, Mauch and Easton are the trio that have torn opposition sides apart in 2013 and all will need to be watched closely. Milford is classy forward who has kicked over 100-goals this season, while Mauch is the well balanced, highly skilled midfielder with Easton setting up a lot of the Swans attacking raids. For Warwick they have their own trio in Read, Iles and Roulston. Read is the silky left-footer who is their clearance specialist, Iles is the hard to match up man, the midfielder pushes forward and kicks bags of goals and Roulston is their hard and close checking backman, who is similar to Easton and sets up a lot of the Reddies drive off half-back.
Star Player: Harry Milford for Dalby, his ability to kick goals from anywhere is what sets him a-part and continued his freaky goal kicking ability in the senior ranks as well. Similar to Stevie-J, he is important if the Swans are to continue.
For Warwick, Josh Read, classy, poised and wins the contested footy, if Warwick are to win this encounter and progress, Read must get his hands on the footy.
X-Factor: Dan Mauch, former State representative player, well balanced and highly skilled, can win games on his on boot.
For Warwick, Shane Iles is a damaging midfielder who can push forward and kick multiple goals, hard to match up and will create headaches for his Swans opponents.
Last Modified on 17/09/2013 17:47
