The top two teams of the Allied Pickford's Cup will go head to head at Warwick's Reddies Oval, as Coolaroo come up against the first placed Redback's.
The navy Roo's are coming into this clash on the back of eight straight victories with their last loss of the season back in round 7 and ironically it was against the Redback's. It was a close contest all day with Warwick prevailing by 4-points in one of the games of the season at Gold Park.
Warwick in their last eight games since defeating the Roo's have lost three games and won five.
Their losses came against South Toowoomba (twice) and University but regained momentum with an impressive 41-point victory over the Hawks in Goondiwindi during round 15 fixtures. With the bye in round 16, the Reddies will be fresh and ready to halt the Roo's momentum.
All the talk has been about Brendan Iles for Warwick who is the favourite to take out his fourth Holman Medal this season but has been well supported by Mr. Consistent Coen Slatter and the hard working Tyhe Clarkson.
Slatter has been in outstanding form, with probably his most consistent season to date. The agile and pacey defensive utility has featured in the Redback's best players 12 out of 15 games. Clarkson on the other hand has stepped up his in and under game this season but has always proved to be an important asset as an outside receiver.
Like Iles, the Roo's have particular players that have been talked about a lot. In their premiership season last year Thomas Rudolph was the barometer to their success.
This season, under new coach Shaun Johnson the Roo's have had more of an even spread of key contributors. Rudolph is still a key but the likes of Adam Green, Corey Bellert, Luke Mason, Michael Casey and Michael Langton have been keys to the Roo's season and extended winning streak.
Those five key players have the ingredients to keep the Roo's at the top for a long time with their average age of 19.
Bellert at just 17 years of age is the most impressive of that young group. With the likes of Rudolph, Dreise and co, young Bellert goes unnoticed most weeks and was one of the Roo's keys in their win over University in Round 15. His ability to slice opposition sides apart with his silky left-foot and footy smarts, first class.
Both sides have plenty to play for and this should be an epic encounter and this game will play a massive role in deciding who takes out the 2014 Minor Premiership for the Allied Pickford's Cup.
Match Details
Warwick Redback's Vs. Coolaroo
Venue: Reddies Oval, Warwick
First bounce: 2:30pm
Date: Saturday 9th August
Form Lines
Warwick: Bye W L W W
Coolaroo: W W W W Bye
Leading Goal-Kicker
Warwick: Kurt Heier - 37 goals (ranked 8th AFLDD Div 1)
Coolaroo: Adam Green - 43 goals (ranked 3rd AFLDD Div 1)
Last Modified on 11/08/2014 10:47
