AFLDD Media review the season of each of the regions clubs, reviewing the season that was including the club highlights and key moments throughout 2013.
Dalby Swans are the seventh club on the AFLDD season review list. 2013 was jammed packed with great promotions of the game, and even better wins throughout the season. Unfortunately for the Swans, the dream didn’t quite come true.
The year opened with a welcomed community boost with the arrival of the Brisbane Lions on Dalby’s doorstep. The Lions boys made a visit to local school children, before making their way to Dalby’s Auskick session to pass on some wisdom. Both community and superstars gained something out of the day, whether it was the chance to learn something from a footy idol, or to be amazed by the heart of AFL in regional Queensland.
The Swans were also delighted to host this year’s U15 Schoolboys State Championships. The champs saw over 200 young players journey to the town and indulge in 3 days of spirited competition. The carnival was a great success – a testament to Dalby’s fantastic club and volunteers.
In 2013 Dalby saw AFL spread across all age groups, from Auskick to Seniors.
The Senior side entered 2014 trying to land the Club’s first senior finals appearance. And while the side posted some huge wins, they struggled to string them all together, and finished the season with 8 wins and 8 losses. Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to achieve the goal they had so desperately been trying to acquire, but boys ended the season proud, particularly of their 30-point win over 3-time premiership winning side Toowoomba Tigers in Round 14.
The Under 12 team embarked on their 2013 campaign ready to win, and win they did. The side remained undefeated until Round 6 when Coolaroo defeated the Swans at home 7.9.51 to 6.0.36. This didn’t sway the U12s determination though, as the side went on to remain solid competitors. Come finals time, the boys and girls had a mountain to climb if they wanted to reach the grand finale and yet again, the side proved their worth, winning elimination, semi and preliminary finals to see themselves facing Coolaroo. Unfortunately the Swans came off second best to the strong Roos outfit, losing 10.0.60-5.6.36.
Dalby’s U14 products also shone for the club in 2013. The side stamped their authority on the competition early in the season, demolishing the Redbacks, Stingers and Hawks early on in the season by 113, 183 and 135 points respectively. Unfortunately for the rest of the competition, the Swans didn’t stop there. The young guns ended the season in style, losing just 2 games out of their last 11 match ups. Entering the finals in third position, they ready to take on anyone in their way.
Despite a loss in the first round of finals, the U14 side went on to win their semi final and scrape into the Grand final with a 3 point nail-biting win over Highfields in the preliminary final. Yet again however, when faced with a slick Coolaroo side, Dalby couldn’t finish what they started, going down 11.6.72 to 9.7.61.
After 2013, there is no doubting the supremacy of the Dalby Swans in the AFLDD Junior League. The U16 Swans certainly verified this in their remarkable season. Despite one forfeit to Highfields in the home and away season, the boys did what very few before them have managed – remain undefeated. The side finished on 60 points, a dominant 22 points above their closest competition, and were entering the final series as hot favourites.
After a week off, and having overcome Coolaroo in Round 18, losing to the same team two weeks later in the Semi Final came as a shock. However the side proved to the competition why they were the ones to beat, winning their preliminary final, and were back on track to take home the silverware. But on Grand Final day, it was Déjà “roo” for the Dalby club as, after having watched Coolaroo pinch the cup from their 12s, and 14s, spectators watched in dismay as their last hope of glory went down by 11 points.
With 3 premierships snatched from their grasp in 2013, Dalby no doubt will come out fighting in 2014. The club is always welcoming new members, so get in touch, and help make history!
Last Modified on 16/12/2013 10:11
