Five teams, 15 rounds, 30 matches. We’ve finally reached the finish line for the 2017 Westpac Women’s AFL Darling Downs season. This year, we’ve got the Toowoomba Tigers taking on the Dalby Swans.
It was just two weeks ago they last played each other, with the Tigers coming away with the win in impressive fashion to book their spot in the Grand Final.
Dalby had another hurdle to overcome last week, when they came up against a spirited South Burnett Saints outfit determined to continue its fairy-tale season. After motoring home in the second half, the Swans have set the scene for the competition’s two best sides this year to face off one last time.
Toowoomba’s win in the qualifying final gives them the upper hand in their matchups so far, winning three out of the clubs’ four encounters this season. While they’ve had an extra week of preparation, some would argue that they would prefer the continuous momentum that the Swans have had.
Dalby are set for no changes from last week, with the Tigers needing to trim their current squad of 27 to 22 for match day.
Previous Encounters
Round 2: Toowoomba 23.21 (159) def. Dalby Swans 0.0 (0)
Round 8: Toowoomba 9.10 (64) def. Dalby Swans 4.5 (29)
Round 12: Dalby Swans 10.6 (66) def. Toowoomba 7.4 (46)
Q-Final: Toowoomba 13.13 (91) def. Dalby Swans 2.3 (15)
Matchups that matter
Toowoomba have been packing heat all year up forward, and Saturday will be no different. With Emily Hewitt, Jayde Struhs and Racquelle Sutton to deal with, to name a few, it will be all hands on deck for the Dalby defence.
Nicole Mairs has regularly been one of the Swans’ best in defence, so it would be logical for her to pick up either Hewitt or Struhs depending on which one is playing higher up the ground. It will be a challenge for Mairs but she’s proved repeatedly throughout the season she’s up for the task.
Dalby’s danger duo up forward has been the prolific Alison Moore and young star Felicity Ash. They’ll come up against Grace Elliott and Abbey Garth in defence for Toowoomba, which should be another great contest to keep an eye on.
Both Tigers were posted at centre half-back and full-back last time these two sides met, and were able to read the play well and break the lines after causing a turnover. If they can restrict the output of the Swans’ forwards it will go a long way towards securing the historic three-peat.
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The scores will go up live online and you can click here on match day to view.
MATCH DETAILS - WESTPAC WOMEN'S GRAND FINAL
Toowoomba Tigers Vs. Dalby Swans
2:45pm
Rockville Park
FREE ENTRY
Last Modified on 27/09/2017 09:29
