Young Joey, key to Navy Roo's 4-points?
Not much splits this year’s second and third placed sides, as the 2013 Grand-Finalists face off under-lights at Baker Street on Friday night.
Twenty-seven percent separates the two sides, as the competitions number one defensive unit (University) face arguably the number one ranked attacking side.
Cougars defenders Cory Balnaves, Aaron Howard, Mark Henning and Nick Wuersching will have their work cut out for them again this week but as the Cougars quartet have shown, they are more than capable of stopping the competitions best attacking raids.
University coaching staff will be mindful of the Roo's attacking weapons in Tom Rudolph, Adam Green and prolific on-baller Phil Dreise, the navy Roo's trio have kicked 106 goals between them, which is just under half (49.3%) of their teams goals this season.
In their last meeting, it was the Cougars who were victorious by 32-points in gale force like winds at Gold Park.
Regan Nielan, the usually defensive positioned player was the Roo's biggest headache; he popped up with career best five goals in round 5. Nielan's contested marking was the highlight of the key Cougar in the game and assisted set up the round 5 victory.
However the navy Roo's will be mindful of the impact Heath Gniel had in the second half of that game and no doubt, as the veteran does most weeks, he will receive close attention.
The Roo's big three in Green, Dreise and Rudolph have been all the talk all season but if the Roo's are to end the Cougars unbeaten streak at Baker Street, their most consistent and one of their youngest Roo's may be the key.
The very skilful, agile and youthful Corey Bellert will play an important role in the Friday night blockbuster.
Bellert has been named in the Roo's best just as many times as Dreise and Rudolph, with Bellert's ball use, is of high quality and would be close to the number one ranking for handball receives at Coolaroo.
With the forecast of a fairly warm evening at Baker Street, whichever side can adapt to the greasy conditions the quickest will have the advantage early. This Friday night blockbuster is due to kick off at 7:00pm and should attract many interested on-lookers.
Match Details
University Cougars Vs. Coolaroo
7:00pm bounce
USQ Baker Street Oval
Previous History (Last 5 matches)
Rd 05: University Cougars 14.10 (94) def. Coolaroo 9.8 (62)
Rd 01: Coolaroo dw University Cougars (Washed Out)
G/Final: Coolaroo 14.8 (92) def. University Cougars 13.11 (89)
Q/Final: University Cougars 10.15 (75) def. Coolaroo 10.9 (69)
Rd 15: University Cougars 18.13 (121) def. Coolaroo 12.6 (78)
Current Form
University - W W L W W
Coolaroo - W W W W W
Last Modified on 29/07/2014 11:24
