Coolaroo will host South Burnett in the Under 14 McDonald's Shield match of the round on Sunday morning.
Finals have come early for these two sides, with the victor guaranteed the final position in the McDonald's Shield top 4. With the fourth placed Lions finishing the regular season with a bye and 2 point clear of the Roo's and Saints, a win will all it take.
The last meeting between these two sides was back in round 4, where the Saints marched to a 32-point win.
However, this game should be much closer than the previous encounter. Coolaroo will need to pay close attention to Saint Keegan Wright, who destroyed the Roo's last they met, when he bagged 5-majors at Lyle Vidler Oval. Midfielder Pacey Clegg also got off the chain that day, running riot and bagging three goals.
The Navy Roo's were missing a number of their more consistent stars in Harrison Claydon, Judah Jackson and Rowan Anderson.
South Burnett will have to be mindful of the star trio, with Claydon and Anderson tall key position players who play like small rovers. Judah Jackson has been very damaging in and under this season, if the Saints are to play finals for the first time ever they must stop Claydon, Jackson and Anderson.
The Roo's do have a game changer in Thomas Dearnaley, who has had a terrific season. Dearnaley has taken massive strides in the right direction this season and this on the back of a terrific summer program and his ongoing develop with the Crows program.
Dearnaley is a very damaging forward, who can clunk superb contested marks but he has also adapted well to a switch down back at times, proving his versatility to the reigning premiers.
The winner shall see finals action and the defeated side will hang up the boots for another season.
Last Modified on 27/08/2014 08:59
