Cougars to face Rising SUNS
Chinchilla will be beaming with confidence after their round 1 victory over their big brothers from the west Dalby but face a tougher task in Round 2 when they face 2013 Grand-Finalists University.
The SUNS played an exciting brand of football in the opening clash and will need to bring the same intensity and excitement if they are to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Kristian Muir is the key SUN and no doubt picked up the three votes in the Marge Shaw Trophy by the umpires after his best on ground 5-goal performance. Though inaccuracy in front of the goals would have been a key area the SUNS worked on this week at training, kicking 8.15 against Dalby.
Percival and Hartwig will also need to again have solid games if they are to defeat University.
Cougars are an unknown side in 2014 with their round 1 match postponed due to ground closures but will be fresh and ready to roar in their first game of the new season.
Chinchilla will also face University in the McDonald’s Trophy under 12’s competition when the young SUNS travel to USQ Baker Street. The SUNS were outclassed by a quick moving Bombers outfit in round 1 but with strong numbers in this age group, Chinchilla will be a tough task for the Cougars 12’s.
Palmer and Keating are both classy players for Chinchilla and University will have to watch these two up and coming stars. Watts, Banim and Makuach brothers are the key young Cougars and on paper these two sides are evenly matched but this game will be decided on whichever side can use the open spaces of USQ’s Baker Street oval.
Saints Ready to tame Lions
South Burnett will kick off their 2014 campaign against Highfields at Kratzke Oval Sunday 6th April, with Saints looking to tame the Lions who are coming off an impressive 113point victory in Round 1.
Highfields ran rampant against Warwick and the Saints will need to watch key Highfields player Luke Bianchi who gets a lot of the footy and also keep a close eye on former under 18 Crows premiership player Jeremy Haaksma.
No doubt the Saints will be looking to start on the right note in 2014 and will need an even contribution from all 22 players.
From all reports Adam Bowater and Brad Edwards are the two main men at the Saints this year along with young gun Ty Snow. These three Saints will be pivotal if South Burnett are to come away with the four premiership points.
Saints and Lions will also line up against each other in the Under 14’s McDonald’s Shield at Kratzke Oval. This should be an interesting battle from the outset with both sides boasting talented young juniors.
Highfields were impressive in their opening game of the season against Warwick with Lachlan Davies and Mitch Johnson the standout Lion cubs. Again the Saints haven’t taken the field but reports are saying that Lleyton Brown and Josh Soley are the two South Burnett players marching and ready to go.
Demons and Lions head to head at Kratzke Oval
Lockyer Valley and Highfields will go into battle in the Allied Pickford’s Cup clash at Kratzke Oval and no doubt put everything on the lines as both Division 1 sides are coming off opening round losses.
For Highfields they were outclassed by a hard working Reddies outfit to the tune of 69-points. For the Demons they kicked the first three goals of the game against the Hawks but were outclassed by Goondiwindi who have continued their good 2013 form.
This will be interesting to see where both sides are currently tracking and each side has genuine match winners.
For Lockyer Valley Damien Morris and Sam Hegarty are the two keys but can’t be left to carry the load. Morris is the Demons ‘x’ factor with his explosive pace and ability to kick team lifting goals. Hegarty is the traditional hard running, hard-working midfielder that can sneak under the guard of opposition teams.
Both should expect close attention from the Lions this week.
Highfields have lost their superstar Clinton Watts this season and are looking for the next generation of Lions to fill the void. New Coach/Player Miels Grice is a key with the two-time John Green Trophy runner up exactly what Highfields have been missing. He lacked quality supply at times last week and will be looking to his midfielders to improve in this clash.
Four quarter effort is required and whichever side can put together a consistent four quarters will come out on top, as starting the season with 2 losses is hard to come back from later in the year.
Footy Returns to the Home of Footy on the Downs
Footy will officially return to the home of footy on the Darling Downs when Toowoomba Tigers face the Warwick Redback’s at Rockville Oval.
All eyes will be on the Division 1 clash between Tiges and Reddies, as Warwick have recruited well in the off-season and no doubt Toowoomba’s coaching staff watched closely as the Redback’s demolished Highfields in Round 1 of the Allied Pickford’s Cup.
The return of three time Holman Medallist Brendan Iles is a massive coup for the Redback’s, as Iles will join current Holman Medallist Kurt Millard making the Warwick midfield a star studded line up. Add to this ruck Alex Cutmore and Redback’s midfield alone will be tough assignment for the Tigers.
For Toowoomba the return of premiership Captain Luke Adams is a big in but they have lost Co-Captain Nick Talbot to a season ending new injury and also prolific ball winner Dan Townsend for the first 2-months.
Tigers will be looking to premiership players in Michael Bailey, Chris Turpin and will hopefully have the likes of veterans Dan Farr and Michael O’Donoghue line up for this clash.
The junior clashes should be interesting with the Redback’s coming off mixed results in Round 1 and the newly amalgamated juniors stepping out in their Tigers jerseys for the first time. Both clubs will be keen to record wins in all age divisions.
Players to watch in each game are;
McDonald’s Trophy Under 12’s – (Warwick) Kirby Morunga, Joey Wagner and Dawson Wright. (Toowoomba) Jack Briskey, Tiarna Jericho and Lachlan Sheldrick.
McDonald’s Shield Under 14’s – (Toowoomba) Eric Rattray, Callan Wilson and Sam Hutson. (Warwick) Jaiden Fidge, Phoebe Merceica and Rowan Anderson.
McDonald’s Cup Under 16’s – (Toowoomba) Jack Wilson, Brock Turner and Jonah Stower. (Warwick) Shane Iles, Glen Roulston and Carter Bilbrough.
New Season, Same Rivalry but this time at Heritage Oval
It maybe a new season but an old rivalry will be born again and a new chapter written as South Toowoomba host Coolaroo at their new home ground.
With the Div 1 sides going head to head, both clubs juniors, women's and division 2 sides will reignite the traditional rivalry. Specifically the two clubs will face off for the first time in the AFL Darling Downs Women's league.
Bombers are the reigning premiers and will face the first timers Roo's. South Toowoomba have regained a majority of their list from last year and have added Queensland representative Isabelle Baldock to their squad who will add class and engine room grunt.
For Coolaroo they are an unknown force at the moment, with Captain Jess Gallagher telling AFLDD Media that they (Coolaroo) are just looking forward to their first ever game.
"The club hasn't put any high expectations on us this season, more to get out and have some fun," Gallagher said at the 2014 AFLDD season launch.
It will be a full day at Heritage Oval from the first games starting at 8:40am and the final game wrapping up around 6:30pm.
Old Rivals to go at it Again
It is a rivalry that dates back to the 1980's and with both sides up and about, the 'old school' tradition is back.
University will be fresh and ready to roar, as the Cougars didn't play in round one due to ground closures but guarantee they are hungry. For Goondiwindi they are coming off an impressive 147point victory over Lockyer Valley and looked to be a well drilled unit for the opening round.
Goondiwindi and Lockyer went goal for goal in the open minutes of the first quarter but the class of the Hawks shone through booting 12 opening quarter goals to 4.
From here it was all one way traffic with the Hawks piling on further 17-goals and amassed an impressive 48 shots on goal. The big 3 in Millard, Leahy and O'Toole booted 5-each and will need to be heavily watched by the Cougars this week.
For the Cougars, they have lost 8 key players from their Grand-Final side including key position players Josh Timmer and Chris Davis. They will need veteran Heath Gniel and classy on-baller Luke Brumley to continue their 2013-form.
This should be a close contest with a four-quarter effort the key to this game. 2:00pm start at USQ AFL Oval.
#AFLDD
Last Modified on 11/04/2014 08:51
