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AFL Darling Downs media caught up with Grand Final coaches Nick Barker (Coolaroo) and Shane Melrose (University) to get the inside word on their thoughts on the big game.
Both coaches were asked a series of questions about the opposition and here is what they said.
Who do you rate as the most dangerous opposition player?
Shane Melrose: Tom Rudolph is definitely their most dangeous player, he knows how to win the hard footy and he has sublime skills. A player that can win the game on his own boot.
Nick Barker: Heath Gniel is their most dangerous player, he plays well in the air and on the ground, very hard to match up. The match up, required for Heath needs to be a well rounded experienced footballer, Heath knows all the tricks so it's important he is managed by an excellent player.
Who do you rate as the most potent attacking player for the opposition?
Shane Melrose: Michael Casey, he has superb hands and likes to run. He has played a lot of the season in defence but no doubt we will see him push forward. We will have to watch him closely.
Nick Barker: Cougars Captain Al Reilly is by far one of the hardest attacking players in the league. With his athletic build and football smarts, when he is on his game he is very hard to stop.
Who do you rate as the most damaging outside player for the opposition?
Shane Melrose: 2007 Holman medalist Phil Driese, he loves the wide open spaces and we will have to nullify his ability to run free.
Nick Barker: Cougars veteran Gary Wade is one of the best outside players in the competition. He occupies the spaces well and his run and carry is superb. His football skills are very precise and his ability of feeding his forwards is first class, he can be a player that the game can be one on his own boot.
How do you rate your oppositions run to the Grand-Final?
Shane Melrose: Hard and physical, very tough encounters in week one and two of finals and a comfortable win against the physical Toowoomba last week.
Nick Barker: They have only had one hard game football in almost a month, I would be asking myself, are my men battle hardened? I would be nervous if I was the opposition coach wondering if they have tapered off too much, has their match awareness dropped off and how is their match intensity going?
Last Modified on 26/09/2013 10:35
