#DontGoQuietly
University versus Highfields, Cougars verse Lions, however you see this contest we will find out who is the new king of the cats.
Highfields weren't in finals contention until after round 12 and haven't really been talked about as premiership contenders, until now.
There is one thing University must not do and that is they must not underestimate the Lions. The come-back Lions, Highfields have been labelled after numerous times they have come from a deficit at half-time to win the contest.
Highfields rely heavily on a spark; they proved that last week against Dalby.
It came from medium forward Robert Baker at the 60second mark of the second quarter, Baker swept up a loose ball and snapped around his body to get the Lions first in over 30 minutes. It wasn't that it was an impressive goal or clean pick up but what he did after he kicked the goal.
Baker celebrated, like it was the winning goal of the game. What he did was lift his team-mates and ultimately bring the enjoyment back into footy.
That is the Lions key weapon, their team lifting acts.
Whatever University do, they mustn't let the Lions roar, they may have finished 4th on the ladder but they are premiership contenders and the Cougars should be aware.
With the likes of Baker up forward along with captain Jason Long, Lachlan Porter, Joshua Brunner and William Grundon. Highfields have players from forward to back that can slice opposition teams apart and it is all because they back their own ability.
For the Cougars they have a number of key players, none more so than Marge Shaw Trophy (Division 2 Best and Fairest) favourite Isaac Parker. Parker must be watched closely, he might not be the tallest player on the field but don't let that fool you.
Parker's ability to win the contested footy with such a light frame is impressive, along with his silky skills and uncanny ability to step out of traffic is first class.
University led right up until three-quarter time in their clash with South Burnett last week but ran out of legs as the scoreboard would suggest. The Saints piled on 6.4 to 1.1 in the final quarter, exposing the Cougars lack of pace.
Highfields boast numerous players with pace, expect the Cougars to go old school and look to create numerous stoppages to slow the game down.
Finals footy is always different to the regular season, each week the pace and physical side of the game intensifies. With a spot in the Grand-Final up for grabs, expect both sides to give it their all.
MATCH DAY - Preliminary Final
University Cougars Vs. Highfields Lions
2:30pm bounce
Rockville Oval, Tor Street - Toowoomba
Sunday 7th September, 2014
Last Modified on 08/09/2014 10:08
