DarlingDowns.AFLQ.com.au take a look at each of the regions clubs, in a season review. We take a look at each teams season, best players, the clubs gun, star in the making and much more.
The Wash-Up: Coolaroo
Season 2013 was labelled the year of the year, with the club taking out five of a possible six premierships. However 2014 was a different story with the reigning premiers unable to go back to back but the foundation club is still the benchmark across the competition.
The navy Roo's were one of the very few clubs across the competition to have a team in every junior and senior competition, an outstanding achievement.
Coolaroo's junior players increased and the powerhouse club sits tied second for most juniors registered on the Darling Downs.
Club Best and Fairest Predictions
U12's - Sam Dearnaley
U14's - Thomas Dearnaley & Harrison Claydon
U16's - James Sprason
Div 2 - Samuel Jackson
Women's - Michelle Horsfall
Div 1 - Thomas Rudolph
The ROOS Gun
James Sprason - The agile, quick and big engined midfielder/forward is no doubt in line to play senior footy next season. Sprasons ability to kick clutch goals and simply change the course of games himself, is what his senior side needs. Already a star and will establish himself quickly at the senior level.
Keep an eye on
Jade Hose - Had an injury plagued debut season but when she was on-field she was one of the most damaging players in the competition. If she can get her knee right and get in a full pre-season expect big things from the Roo's female star.
Under 12's Review
It was a season of what ifs for the 2013 premiers, with the Roos finishing in seventh position on the McDonald's Trophy ladder with 7 wins from 15 starts.
The navy Roos had 4-players play every game possible and were able to give 27 players including under 10's a taste of Under 12 competitive footy. Coolaroo also unleashed new talent onto the paddock in Julian Rovetto and Sam Dearnaley. Rovetto finished equal 4th in the Peltz Medal count on 16 votes, with 8 of Roos featuring in the league vote count night.
Under 14's Review
The Roos 14's had a fairly consistent season, finish 4th and facing the eventual premiers University in week 1 of the final series.
This was the clubs most populated player group, they showed what they were made of in round 7 winning by a whopping 190-points. But the Roos most impressive win came in Round 18 where the defeated the South Burnett Saints for a spot in the 2014 final series.
Midfielder Harrison Claydon capped off a brilliant individual season claiming the Col Wells Medal as the fairest and best player in the Under 14 competition. He shared this with two other players from Dalby and Lockyer.
Under 16's Review
The only reigning premier that had a shot at going back to back thanks to some preliminary final magic from Captain James Sprason.
However, it wasn't to be as the Roos were over-run by the impressive Lions. Ash Mason was brilliant as coach all season and his boys responded throughout the season finishing on a 10 win 3 loss record from 13 starts. The 16s showed the club has a bright future with numerous stars who will demand division 1 spots next season.
Sprason also finished as runner-up in the Jack Barry Medal count by 1 vote.
Division 2 Review
It wasn't an overall successful season for the 2's at the Roos, finishing 7th and taking home just the three wins for the season.
However, the division 2 side paid dividends for the 1's, keeping fringe players up and going throughout the season and helping the top side through to week 3 of the finals. Season 2014 was a great opportunity to give the next generation of Roo's a season of development and set the club up for long term success.
Women's Review
The most impressive side of the club in 2014, in their debut season women's team made it through to the Preliminary Final but fell just short as eventual premiers Dalby sent them packing.
With a fantastic duo in Thompson and Skehan coaching, along with a long playing list the Roo's are set for long term success.
From a nail-biting draw in round 4 with the Hawks, a big win over the Swans the following week and ultimately bringing enjoyment back to footy, the Navy Roos can tick 2014 off as a success. Expect the Roos to be in the mix for the 2015 flag.
Division 1 Review
The Roos unfortunately copped some of their own medicine this season and it was to the opponent who they had dealt it to previously. Up by a comfortable margin the Roos were overrun by the Cougars and knocked out in the Preliminary Final.
However, it wasn't a disappointing season at all.
Young-gun Adam Green took the next step in his career, taking his footy to a new level to become one of the most damaging players in the region. Green claimed the John Green Trophy as the competitions leading goal-scorer finishing with 63-majors.
Swing-man Michael Casey was the Roos highest vote getter for the Holman Medal finishing with 15-votes finishing equal 5th in the count.
The Clubs Next Leader
18 year old Corey Bellert was another play to take his game to the next level, he may be a light-frame but Bellert is a natural leader and with another season under his belt, no doubt he will be contention for a leadership role at the powerhouse club.
The views in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of AFL Darling Downs, the club or players mentioned in the above.
Last Modified on 20/10/2014 11:45