Redback's claim maiden premiership
The Warwick Redback's have claimed their maiden AFL Darling Downs division 1 title after 18 years and three previous grand-final attempts.
Even though the Redback's were erratic in front of goal, they recorded a 10.18 (78) to 9.7 (61) victory over the University Cougars to be crowned the 2014 premiers.
In front of a massive crowd (1500+), Warwick led at every change and kept the Cougars within striking distance with their inaccurate goal-kicking. Warwick booted 3 opening quarter goals, as both sides went at a frantic pace, with the Cougars registering 2 majors.
Warwick led by 7-points at the first break.
Lucky for University, the Redback's radar was off in front of the big sticks in the second stanza with the Warwick men kicking a slovenly 1.7 with the Cougars booting 2-straight for the term. Warwick was able to stretch their lead out to 8-points at the long interval.
Adam Stevenson and Tim Tate were the main contributors for the Redback's, while Rick Mackay was starting to look dangerous up forward and midfielder Ash Harley was getting his fair share of the sherrin for University.
7-goals in total were scored in the third quarter, as both sides went on an attacking frenzy.
University booted 4 of those 7 goals for the quarter but could of had more registering 3-behinds. Warwick continued to hold the lead despite the fact they had register 1-less goal than the Cougars. The Redback's held a slender 3-point lead going into the final quarter.
Warwick went into a lock-down style of footy in the fourth term, trying to keep the footy out of the University hands for as long as possible.
The Reddies created stoppage, after stoppage to slow the fast-moving Cougars down. However, it was University the first to break the fourth quarter shackles but little did the Cougars know that would be their last goal of the 2014 season.
The next 3-goals went the Redback's way, to extend the final margin out to 17-points and see the men in red and blue claim the clubs first premiership.
WARWICK
Goal Kickers: D. Morris 3, B. Iles 2, K. Millard , M. Triffett , K. Heier , J. Wright , J. McKendry
Ellen McConochie Medallist: A. Stevenson
UNIVERSITY
Goal Kickers: J. Yosh 3, H. Gniel 2, A. Reilly 2, S. Banim , R. Mackay
As the final siren sounded, wild celebrations begun with Warwick faithful streaming onto the home of footy at Rockville Oval.
Midfielder Adam Stevenson was voted as the ASN Toowoomba best on ground player and awarded the Ellen McConochie Medal by a panel of 6 independent judges.
Ellen McConochie Medal Voting
Final Leaderboard (6 ballots of 3,2,1 votes total of 36 votes)
Adam Stevenson (Warwick) - 12 votes
Tim Tate (Warwick) - 10 votes
Tyhe Clarkson (Warwick) - 4 votes
Ash Harley (University) - 3 votes
Cory Balnaves (University) - 2 votes
Kurt Millard (Warwick) - 2 votes
Brendan Iles (Warwick) - 2 votes
Manylok Malek (University) 1 vote
Last Modified on 09/10/2014 10:14
