#DontGoQuietly
University Cougars have defeated the Highfields Lions by 65-points in the AFL Darling Downs Division 2, Preliminary Final at Rockville Oval on Sunday afternoon.
It was a resounding victory, where the Cougars kept the Lions score-less until the third quarter.
During the week, the pre-game talk was about silencing the Lions roar and University ticked that box for the first half of the match. Highfields kicked their first points of the preliminary final 2m 30s mark of the third quarter, through forward Trent Masters.
However, the preliminary final riot kicked off in blistering fashion by the Cougars with milestone man Norman Dempsey kicking the opening goal of the game, just 60-seconds into the match.
Dempsey in his 300th game wasn't finished, kicking another just minute later. University took a 27-point lead into the first break with 400+ game veteran Scott Sowerby and midfielder Ryan Hopkins adding to the Dempsey double in the first quarter.
The second term was much the same as the first, as University continued their dominance. This time it was the Cougar cubs that did the damage as Sam Purtill, Jake Cooper and Sam Banim registering their first majors of the game.
University went into the long break with an impressive 7.7 (49) to nil lead.
If Highfields were any chance of one of their trademark comebacks, they had to hit the scoreboard early and they did. The Trent Masters early goal was shortly followed by a goal of the year contender by young Lion Steven Shepherd.
Shepherd came from three deep to spoil the contest at centre-half forward, got back to his feet to gather the footy deep in the north-eastern pocket and kicked straight through to lift the Lions faithful.
However, the Lions were quickly silenced as Banim kicked his second for the afternoon.
It was a physical and heated contest for the remaining 10-minutes of the third term, with neither side able to impact the scoreboard.
Up by 45-points going into the last stanza, it was a question of by how much for the University Cougars. Josh Mays was the first to hit the score-board in the final quarter for University but his goal was quickly followed by Patrick McCormack from Highfields.
Veteran Sowerby kicked his second of the match at the 14minute mark of the fourth, with Mark Henning following shortly after.
Sowerby kicked the final goal of the afternoon, to take his match tally to game high 3 majors and lock up the 65-point victory.
The veteran Cougars did the damage early but it was the Cougar cubs that were most impressive in the win. Pacey half-backer Brendon McDonald was a standout with his run and carry, as was Sam Cooper and Josh Mays.
Division 2 best and fairest favourite Isaac Parker dominated in the opening half with the light-framed midfielder winning no doubt a game high statistic of contested possessions, setting up numerous attacking raids.
For the defeated Lions, Hugh Stone was exceptional along with the assiduous work rate of forward Trent Masters, gritty defender Russell Baldock and midfielder Josh Brunner.
University will now face the rested South Burnett Saints in this Sunday 14th September Grand-Final.
UNIVERSITY
Goal Kickers: S. Sowerby 3, N. Dempsey 2, S. Banim 2, M. Henning , J. Mays , S. Purtill , R. Hopkins , J. Cooper
Best Players: , B. McDonald , S. Cooper , I. Parker , J. Mays
HIGHFIELDS
Goal Kickers: S. Shephard , T. Masters , P. McCormack
Best Players: , H. Stone , T. Masters , J. Brunner , R. Baldock
Last Modified on 11/09/2014 07:53
