The University Cougars play the Dalby Swans in the battle of the Preliminary Final to make their way to the 2015 McDonald’s Cup Grand-Final.
Both this teams will be desperate to keep their finals dream alive. The Swans were too strong for the Lions while the Cougars will be looking to bounce after losing to the Bombers.
The Cougars and the Swans are the best defensive teams in the competition. The Cougars average only 34 points a game against while the Swans are even better defensively allowing only 31 points against. Both these teams set up very well defensively behind the ball and then look to rebound out of defence.
In round 3 this year the University Cougars were able to prevail over the Swans by 14 points. In this match the Cougars won with an even spread of goal kickers while the Swans relied on Finn Collinson to kick the 6 goals. In round 8 the Swans bounced back to win by 5 points.
The Cougars most consistent players this year have been Jackson Paynter and Deng Arok. Deng is fast and mobile and loves to get out into space while Jackson is your mobile key position player. They have been standouts for the Cougars all season. Ethan Carmody has been on fire in the backline and will be called upon to stop the Swans coring power.
For the Swans Sean Melbin and Thomas Strand have been the most consistent players through-out the 2015 season. Both play through the midfield and push forward to kick goals. They are both very creative midfielders and will be looking to give their team the edge in the engine room. The Swans have a good one-two combo in the forward line, with Finn Collison kicking 30 goals and Daniel Gillespie kicking 24 goals as well. The Cougars will have to be mindful of these 2 if they are to make the Grand-Final.
These two teams are very evenly matched across the field, both can get out and run, kick short and play possession footy and they can both defend as a whole team. This game may just come down to whoever takes their chances in front of goal. Get down to Heritage oval at 12:20 for this epic encounter.
Last Modified on 28/06/2016 14:40
