By AFLDD Media | 19th September
AFL Darling Downs Allied Pickford's Cup
#AFLDDGF
University V Coolaroo, 2:30pm bounce at Rockville Oval
Grand-Final PodCast, click here
Grand Final week, does it get any better? The players, coaches and supporters will all be feeling the excitement and tension that comes with your club reaching the big one, a chance to achieve the ultimate. Everything is heightened during Grand Final week, training is more intense, the media focus increases, work colleagues and mates are talking about it, and you just can’t escape it.
Players and coaches will be playing the game over and over in their heads imagining different scenarios that may occur and what they will do to counter any opposition tactics. Normal life takes a back seat in Grand Final week, your whole week is geared to ensure once Saturday rolls around you are ready to go, primed to be the best you can be.
Grand Finals don’t come around every day, getting there takes a massive amount of commitment and sacrifice, winning one takes even more.
University and Coolaroo have taken their game to another level this year, the disappointment of last season’s early exit was the catalyst behind both teams resurgence in 2013, their ruthless attitude has been on display for the rest of the competition to see from Round 1. There are many similarities between both teams, the Cougars Shane Melrose and the Roos Nick Barker are both extremely driven coaches who demand success, they leave no stone unturned as they drag every last ounce of ability and effort out of their troops.
Both sides also have some genuine superstars, University have the luxury of being able to call on the likes of this season’s Holman Medal runner-up Heath Gneil, the silky skills and work rate of Christopher Davis and have a legitimate backline general in Josh Timmer. Throw in guys like Al Reilly, Luke Brumley and Garry Wade and the Cougars have some genuine firepower.
Coolaroo have no lack of star power either with the likes of Phil Dreise, Tom Rudolph and the enigmatic Meils Grice leading the Rooboy charge. When you add in the likes of Corin Sankey, Alex and Carl Horsfall and Barry Janetzki (nobody wants a win more than this guy) you can see the Roos have all bases covered. You can count on these guys being amongst the thick of it on Saturday, they are big game players and you just know they will play accordingly.
To pick a winner in this clash is extremely difficult; a case can be made for either holding aloft the Allied Pickfords Cup on Saturday afternoon. A look at both club’s playing lists throws up some interesting characters, players that have been pivotal in their club making it to the big stage however don’t get the public recognition. For Uni you need look no further than guys like Ash Harley, unfashionable at times but works extremely hard and has the potential to grow the league’s best mullet should he pursue that goal.
Perhaps the biggest surprise this season has been the emergence of the Cougar cubs, Jackson Savill, Stuart Huggins, Sam Banim, Sam Cooper and Manylok Malek are doing more than making up the numbers, and they are contributing greatly to the Cougar juggernaut. Coolaroo is also blessed with some talented youngsters who are making their mark on the competition, players such as Adam Green, Jarron Miller, Luke Mason, Corey Bellert and Michael Casey have been a big part of the Coolaroo assault, the future looks extremely bright with these guys coming through.
As good as the young blokes have been perhaps the biggest influence on the Roos fortunes this season has come from some old stagers. Darren Copland and Adam Ottobrino have wound back the clock this year showing that the old boys have still got it. Both lined up with Jesus for the Jerusalem First XIII, they’ve been around a while. Their calming influence and cool heads under pressure might be just what the Roos need come Saturday.
The one thing we can all be certain of is that this Grand Final will be a cracker, two proud clubs with one goal, the 2013 premiership. The weather forecast looks perfect so make sure you get there, to witness greatness.
Unable to make it to the game, well we have the answer to follow the game live. Allied Pickford's Cup, Grand Final LIVE Match Centre. Click on the link to follow the game live.
Photo: University Cougars Captain Alan Reilly holds the Premiership Cup along side Coolaroo Captain Alex Horsfall.
Last Modified on 09/10/2013 17:37
