Fresh Cougars to face dogged Bombers
University will return to the home of Darling Downs footy when they face the South Toowoomba Bombers at Rockville Oval on Saturday afternoon.
It will be the first time the Cougars have played at Rockville after their disappointing Grand-Final loss last year. With not much success at the home of footy in recent years, they will be exultant that they are facing South Toowoomba, with the Bombers the last side the Cougars defeated at Rockville.
University will come into this game as red hot favourites; however a fairly inconsistent month for the Cougars will see the Bombers come in with some confidence.
In the last outing between these two clubs, an 8-goal second quarter blitz to University saw the Bombers out of the contest at half-time. University ran out 64-point winners in the end, with the small forwards creating havoc for South Toowoomba. Sam Banim, Heath Gniel and Stuart Huggins combined for 12-goals up forward.
The trio of forwards haven't played since their Round 14 clash against Warwick a fortnight ago and if all three do line up at Rockville, the Bombers will have to watch them closely.
University will be fired up no doubt after going down to the Roo's last Friday night by a slender 14-point in a brutal contest. However, the 8-day break would have been ideal for Coach Melrose and his men, with University pushing for a top 2 finish they should be fresh.
South Toowoomba have somewhat flown under the radar this season and have quietly built momentum over the past month with four wins on the trot.
The Bombers averaging winning margin over the last month is an impressive 118.7points but will have to be mindful that those wins have come against Lockyer Valley (twice), Toowoomba and Highfields, all placed well outside the top 4.
Both sides boast talented players and will no doubt rely heavily on their consistent contributors.
However, the result for this game will come down to each side’s key defensive general. Cougars Captain, Corey Balnaves has been in terrific form in 2014 and is the key driver behind the University defensive unit which is ranked number 1 in the competition.
Balnaves closing speed and pressure acts stood out against the Roo's last week and whichever Bombers forward gets the Cougars skipper, they will have to work just that little bit harder.
Bombers veteran Ben Kratzmann hasn't been spoken about much throughout the season; however the seasoned campaigner has played a pivotal role in South Toowoomba's push towards returning to the finals.
Kratzmann is your no frills type player, whose ability to position him-self is first class along with his communication to set up the Bombers attacking rebounds.
With South Toowoomba only needing one victory to return to finals for the first time since 2012, no doubt, the Bombers men will be fired up. However, University haven't lost back to back games since Round 3 and Round 4 2012, and the very consistent Cougars won’t be about to do that again anytime soon.
In the weekends other fixtures, another chapter will be written in the Tigers and Roo's rivalry, as the reigning premiers host Toowoomba at Bridgman Oval in Pittsworth.
This will be the Tigers first visit to the central downs town and a mammoth task awaits the developing side.
Coolaroo are coming off a hard fought, physical victory over University and the navy Roo's will be looking to continue their momentum. With a 7 game winning streak and another finals campaign in sight the Roo's won't be looking to take it easy in Round 16.
In their last encounter, Coolaroo ran out comfortable victors 29.20 (194) to 5.5 (35).
The final Division 1 match of the round, Highfields host Lockyer Valley at Kratzke Oval, with the Demons looking to record their first win of the season.
It won't be an easy task at the Lion’s den but the Dee's are coming off a much improved team performance in round 15 and will be optimistic about knocking off Highfields. The Lions will have to make sure they are on top of their game, if they are to record their fifth win of the season against Lockyer.
Last Modified on 05/08/2014 17:51
