DarlingDowns.AFLQ.com.au takes a look at each of the regions clubs, in a season review. We take a look at each team’s season, best players, the clubs gun, star in the making and much more.
The Wash-Up: University Cougars
Season 2014 was a very successful year for the University Cougars, as the club claimed one senior and two junior premierships. Under 16's coach Jackson Savill was awarded Youth Coach of the Year, with junior player Deng Makuach declared joint winner of the Under 12 Peltz Medal.
Abdullah Haddad (U14) and Callum Banim (U12) took home their respective Grand-Final best on ground medals after dominating in their premiership matches.
Young-gun Sam Cooper also claimed B.O.G honours in the Division 2 Grand-Final.
University continued to be a leader in off-field activities with their annual charity match for the Queensland Cancer Council drawing another massive crowd and raising much needed funds for the foundation.
University again cracked the 100 junior players and the promotional work by club legend Ross Savill continued to keep University on the minds of everyone across the country in the football world.
Best and Fairest Winners, PREDICTIONS
U12's - Deng Makauch
U14's - Abdullah Haddad
U16's - Mach Mach
Div 2 - Isaac Parker
Div 1 - Cory Balnaves
The COUGARS Gun
Emmanual Fallah - He will no doubt feature heavily in the clubs Under 14 best and fairest vote count and might even knock off our prediction of Haddad. Fallah is an exciting talent and already a star, he is lightning, can run all day, exceptional vertical leap and with 91 career games so far he is only going to get better. And that alone is a scary thought.
Keep an eye on
Andrew Richards - In just his first year of footy, Richards has impressed many on-lookers. Quick off the mark and strong overhead, Richards has the potential to turn into a key position player for the Cougars division 1 side. With 15 games this season including the Div 1 grand-final against Warwick, Richards has nothing but upside.
Under 12's Review
14 wins from 15 starts during the regular season, minor premiership and the premiership, it was a very successful season for the University Cougars.
Rookie coach Andrew Speed did a superb job and always had his charges on the same page. The Cougars boys and girls are a well-balanced out-fit with pace, skill, leaders and so much more, expect this group to have quite a lot of success as they move forward.
Individual accolades went to Deng Makauch with the U12 Best and Fairest, Peltz Medal. Callum Banim took out the U12 competition leading goal scorer as well as the Keith Webb Medal for best on ground in the Grand-Final. University also occupied three of the top ten places in the Peltz Medal count.
Under 14's Review
Who would of thought, the team that finished third would take home the Premiership Cup. The University Cougars couldn't believe it either but they defeated the highly fancied Dalby Swans by an impressive 43-point in the 2014 decider.
Captain Abdullah Haddad claimed the Kim Thomas Medal as the best on ground player in the Grand-Final after a dominating display.
Emmanual Fallah finished runner-up in the competition best and fairest count, 3 votes shy of the three-way tie for the Col Wells Medal. It was a season that saw 12 wins and 3 losses, with the premiers finishing third after 18 rounds but ranked number one for defence.
Under 16's Review
It might not of been a successful season on-field but the story behind the University Cougars Under 16's season is remarkable. Over 90% of their playing list coming from a multicultural background.
Coach Jackson Savill was named the AFL Darling Downs youth Coach of the year and duly so. Savill is one of the most exciting young prospects coming through the coaching ranks and is one to watch himself. The Cougars ability to work together as team was second to none and they always enjoyed playing footy together.
Agok Deng was the Cougars highest vote getter at the Jack Barry Medal with Connor Banim not too far behind.
Division 2 Review
University were only defeated once during the home and away season as the Cougars Two's completed an outstanding season with an emphatic victory in the Grand-Final over South Burnett.
Ranked number one for defence but sixth for offensive, many had thought it was the Saints who would prevail in the Grand-Final. But the Cougars proved everyone wrong, as rising star Sam Cooper claimed the best on ground medal in the 49-point grand-final triumph.
Isaac Parker finished fifth in the Marj Shaw Medal on 10-votes and was the standout Cougar all season.
Club legend and veteran Norm Dempsey brought up his 300th game in the teams preliminary final club with Highfields. Scott Sowerby in his umpteenth season will claim the clubs leading goal scorer for division two.
Division 1 Review
Runners-up two years running won't sit well with Coach Melrose in his troops but the Cougars 1's can still be delighted with their efforts in season 2014. They were by far one of the competitions best teams all season and if they can keep their list together for one more year, premiership success isn't too far away.
Captain Cory Balnaves had a terrific season, leading by example with the Cougars ranked first and second and defence and offence respectively.
Nine players in total registered goal kicking tallies in the double digits, proving their versatility when going forward. Rookie Aaron Howard took out the Leo Camm Rosebowl as the AFL Darling Downs Rookie of the Year.
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 21/10/2014 09:58
