The run home
Everyone is starting to talk finals, Grand-Finals may be won in September but July and August are key months in preparation for a tilt at the flag.
Five teams are in contention for the AFLDD Division 1 top 4 and we have a look at each side striving for September glory. We have named three key players from each team that will play an important role come finals.
Want to predict the finals yourself? Check out the Fox Sports Pulse ladder predictor and you can decide who plays finals. Click here for the predictor.
So, who will play finals? Four spots up for grabs and five teams aiming for premiership glory.
1st Warwick
40points (10 wins 2 losses) 202.8%
With an average winning margin of 76.3points the Redback’s are on track for another finals campaign in 2014. Where they finish is another question, though only one side has beaten them in 2014 and that side is on the fringes of playing finals. As much as the coaching staff preaches that it isn’t, their success is based around the form of one player and that is star player Brendan Iles. The Redback’s stand taller with former captain Iles on the paddock and with his return from injury last week, the Reddies will no doubt go deep into September action.
Key Finals Players: Brendan Iles, Coen Slatter, Adam Stevenson
The run home
Rd13: Lockyer Valley @ Reddies Oval
Rd14: University @ Baker Street
Rd15: Goondiwindi @ Riddles Oval
Rd16: Bye
Rd17: Coolaroo @ Reddies Oval
Rd18: Bye
Rd19: South Toowoomba @ Reddies Oval
2nd University
34points (8 wins 2 losses 1 draw) 227.17%
Last year’s grand-finalists have been moving along nicely and somewhat under the radar but their tilt at back to back minor premierships will come under the microscope in the next month as they play all of the top four so far. Cougars boast a well-balanced line up from Balnaves down back to Howard and Brumley in the middle and finishing power of veterans Reilly and Gniel along with goal sneak Banim. If the Cougars can get through their next three games with more wins than losses, then they will cruise to a second straight minor premiership.
Key Finals Players: Cory Balnaves, Aaron Howard, Heath Gniel
The run home
Rd13: Bye
Rd14: Warwick @ Baker Street
Rd15: Coolaroo @ Baker Street
Rd16: South Toowoomba @ Rockville Oval
Rd17: Highfields @ Baker Street
Rd18: Toowoomba @ Rockville Oval
Rd19: Lockyer Valley @ Baker Street
3rd Coolaroo
30points (7 wins 2 losses 1 draw) 227.32%
The reigning premiers have shown they can be beaten this year, this time last year they were sitting pretty with a 10 – 0 record. With a new coach and a more possession/ space game style the Roo’s have shown their ability to slice teams apart but also shown vulnerability at times. With no key forward they have been able to share the load between their three key players in Driese, Green and Rudolph. If they are to go back to back, their flag aspirations rest solely on the next tier of players stepping up as opposition sides look to shut down the big three’s influence.
Key Finals Players: Phil Driese, Tom Rudolph, Adam Green
The run home
Rd13: Goondiwindi @ Gold Park
Rd14: Highfields @ Kratzke Oval
Rd15: University @ Baker Street
Rd16: Toowoomba @ Bridgman Oval
Rd17: Warwick @ Reddies Oval
Rd18: Lockyer Valley @ Cahill Park
Rd19: Highfields @ Rockville Oval
4th South Toowoomba
26points (6 wins 4 losses 1 draw) 164.2%
The jury is still out on South Toowoomba and their season hinges on their last two games of the season against Goondiwindi and Warwick. They have shown they have the game plan to break down the top of the table Reddies and their inaccuracy in front of goals cost them against Goondiwindi. The loss of key forward Dan McPhee is a massive blow to the Bombers but the acquisition of smooth mover James Kratzmann and in-form veteran Keith Webb, both will create headaches for opposition teams and both will play a massive role going into finals. First they must win in round 13 against Highfields, this exact game last year they lost and their slide outside the finals race was a quick one.
Key Finals Players: James Kratzmann, Keith Webb, Sam Zilm
The run home
Rd13: Highfields @ Kratzke Oval
Rd14: Toowoomba @ Heritage Oval
Rd15: Lockyer Valley @ Heritage Oval
Rd16: University @ Rockville Oval
Rd17: Goondiwindi @ Riddles Oval
Rd18: Bye
Rd19: Warwick @ Reddies Oval
5th Goondiwindi
24points (6 wins 5 losses) 133.56%
Goondiwindi have the midfield that is tough to match up on and have a number of goal-kickers when moving forward. The Hawks play a similar game style to the Sydney Swans, it may be ugly at times but it is effective, just ask the Bombers in round 7. Goondiwindi might not have the total inside 50’s of the other sides but when they go inside their forward 50 they are the most effective side in the competition and one of the most accurate. They are ranked 6th defensively in the Allied Pickford’s Cup with the undersized Hawks back 6 they major concern for the green and gold’s tilt at back to back finals appearances.
Key Finals Players: Jeremy Leahy, Brenton Jardine, Brent Townsend
The run home
Rd13: Coolaroo @ Gold Park
Rd14: Lockyer Valley @ Cahill Park
Rd15: Warwick @ Riddles Oval
Rd16: Bye
Rd17: South Toowoomba @ Riddles Oval
Rd18: Highfields @ Kratzke Oval
Rd19: Toowoomba @ Riddles Oval
The views in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of AFL Darling Downs, the clubs mentioned or players.
Last Modified on 15/07/2014 12:57
