By AFLDD Media | 19th September
#AFLDDGF
Under 12 AFL Darling Downs Juniors Grand-Final
Coolaroo V Dalby Swans, 9:20am at Rockville Oval, Tor Street Toowoomba
Listen to the Grand Final PodCast, click here
AFL Darling Downs Media preview the Under 12 McDonald's Trophy Grand-Final, everything you need to know from players to watch, key statistics and the Macca's Five key points.
Dalby have come from the clouds to get into the season decider, the Swannies finished fifth during the home and away season and have had to get to the big day the hard way. For their opposition, Coolaroo have had a very easy run and that easy run is only two games in the last five weeks.
Those five weeks include the Qualifying Final two weeks ago against Highfields and Round 18 match against their Grand-Final opponents.
Roos onballer Campbell Aston spoke to AFLDD Media and said they had to pay specific attention to their (Swannies) key ball-movers.
"We will have to watch the likes of Jarred (Jeitz), Joe (McKee), Cameron (Ferguson) and Vinnie (Vincent Melbin) and we need to get on top in the midfield," 2013 QLD rep Campbell Aston said at the Grand-Finalist afternoon.
He also predicted his skipper Grant Shelton to play a pivotal role in the decider.
"I think Grant (Shelton) is a key and a good chance at best on ground as well."
AFLDD media also spoke to Swans Captain Jarred Jeitz and said it was important that Dalby were on top from the first bounce and said his defensive group need a big game.
"I believe the game will be won in the middle and the first bounce is important, our backs will need to play well if we are to win," Captain Jeitz said.
He also said that the young Swannies needed to respect the Roos key-ball movers.
"We (Dalby) will need to watch, Campbell (Aston) and Grant, Grant Shelton."
Asked which of the Swans players was important and Captain Jeitz said one of his on-ballers are key to a Swans victory.
"Vinnie (Vincent) Melbin is, he has been good all year, he runs a lot."
AFL DD Media agree with both players and have taken a look at Vincent Melbin and Grant Shelton in a statistical view, from season 2013.
Key Players
Coolaroo - Grant Shelton
17 games in season 2013, kicked 26 goals for the season including a season best 5 against Chinchilla. Rated in the top 3 players each time against the Swans, named best on ground on 3 occassions.
Grant is a hard running attacking midfielder, provides a lot of run between defensive fifty and the attacking fifty. Would be close to the number 1 rebounder at the Roos, along with goal assists.
Dalby - Vincent Melbin
19 games in season 2013, kicked 2 goals for the season (against Pittsworth). Named best on ground for the Swans on 4 occassions during the season but not against Coolaroo.
Vincent is a defensive, in and under midfielder who will spend a lot of time in the Swans defensive fifty. Hard to match up on, could be a possibility as key back or forward depending on the game.
McDonald's Trophy Five Key Points
1. The first five minutes will be important for every player to be the calming influence, get their hands on the footy and steady the ship.
2. Kick the first goal, Grand-Finals make everyone nervous. Kicking the first goal will be important and whichever side can should gain momentum in the very important first quarter.
3. Keep the pre-match routine the same, don't change normal pre-match routines at all. It may be Grand-Final and doing something you wouldn't normally do will use up energy, keep it the same!
4. Don't think about winning the game, think about the next contest, head over the footy and keep moving the footy forward. The success will come if the basics are done correctly.
5. Grand-Finals require a full four quarter effort and contribution from every player, a well balanced team effort is required for the full duration.
Unable to make it to the game, well we have the answer to follow the game live. McDonald's Trophy Grand Final LIVE Match Centre. Click on that link to follow the game live.
Photo: left to right - Swans players Zimmorlei Farquharson and Jarred Jeitz, hold the Premiership Cup with fellow Grand-Finalists Grant Shelton and Campbell Aston from Coolaroo.
Last Modified on 09/10/2013 17:37
