The Tigers have roared into a remarkable first season in this competition dropping only 2 matches through the regular season and inflicting Dalby’s only loss during this time. Since then they comfortably accounted for last year’s premiers in the qualifying final 2 weeks ago to the tune of 38 points and have had the luxury of a week’s break. The Swans bounced back to form last week with an emphatic 48 point win over Coolaroo but will need to be on top of their game this weekend against a side who has now beaten them in their last 2 encounters.
The rise of the Darling Downs women’s competition is something that everyone should be extremely proud of. In just 3 short years this senior competition has risen to be the largest in the state in terms of competing team with 8 in 2015. Remarkably, the Tigers are one of the two new teams that joined this competition in season 2015 and this Saturday they will be looking to follow the trend from previous premierships won only by 1st year sides (Souths 2013, Dalby 2014).
On one hand the Swans hold an advantage of having more experience in big games with the majority of their side playing in last year’s grand final win over South Toowoomba. On the other hand the Tigers have shown great improvement all year and are certainly peaking at the business end of the season. A genuine blockbuster looms and with both teams fielding 18+ players mark this game in your calendar as that one that put women’s footy on the map for the Darling Downs.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS THIS SEASON
QF, 2015: Toowoomba 6.9 (45) def. Dalby 1.1 (7)
Rd8, 2015: Toowoomba 7.13 (55) def. Dalby 6.6 (42)
Rd3, 2015: Dalby 6.6 (42) def. Toowoomba 5.4 (34)
KEY MATCH UPS
Danielle Wall V Mariah Pasfield – If you’re looking for reason behind why the AFL is pushing for a national competition by 2017-18 then you have found it in these 2 incredible players. Both possess amazing skill and kick the ball as well as any male footballer running around on the Downs but what they also bring to the table is their fierce competitiveness and aggression at the ball. Both of these players won’t take a backward step in Saturdays game and although Danielle may stand 7-8 inches taller that Mariah that won’t stop her bullocking her way into and often through contests. The great feature from both these girls is their superb skill by foot. Both players are very sound with their delivery and have the ability to break the game open with their contested ball winning and then delivery. A mouth-watering line up.
Kirra-Lee Dyke V Jayde Struths – This is truly the battle of the key full forwards & when you think back to the good old days of Lockett Vs Dunstall & Ablett Snr you now get another taste with the battle of Dyke Vs Struths. Dyke narrowly edged out Struths in the leading goal kicker award this season with her 90 goals to Struths 80 more than doubling last year’s winning figures. Dyke didn’t play in the last encounter between these 2 sides but returned to her goal kicking best with a 7 goal haul against the Roos last week. This one could turn into and old fashioned full forward shoot out.
Nicole Richards V Jesse Henning – Both these players have had outstanding seasons especially first year player Nicole Richards (Tigers) who last week won the Heather Green medal for the Best and Fairest in season 2015. Both players have great agility and can hurt you on the outside with their agility and pace and their metres gained would be close to #1 for both their teams respectively. A genuine running battle that could have a large bearing on the outcome of this match.
Last Modified on 16/05/2017 09:35
