The South Toowoomba Bombers and University Cougars kicked off the annual AFL Darling Downs Pre season Lockyer Agronomics Cup with the first game starting at 9:00am at the Gatton Show Grounds on Saturday. The day had five competing teams; South Bombers, University Cougars, Coolaroo, Highfields Lions and hosting the day was the Lockyer Valley Demons. Teams played modified super games of 2x15minute halves. Congratulations to Highfields for taking out the Lockyer Agronomics Cup.
An unmanned South Toowoomba Bombers fielded the competion with just the bare minimum of 13 1/2 players to prevent forfieting their games. The half being retired "Broken Ol' Bomber's Old Boy" Andrew Smith with a bad knee who has an uncanny ability to produce footy gear from nowhere to faithfully don the red and black whenever the Bomber's are shy of numbers! The Bomber's showed great courage to compete on the day against many odds such as Captain Ben Newman injuring his ankle in the first half of the first game showing gutsy determination and pure respect for his team which he continued to play all games through to the end. With 18 of the Bombers Senior squad unable to take part in the day the un manned Bombers had nothing to lose - full of determination to end the day on a positive note, they had to work harder for the ball. Under 16's player Zac Smith playing his first Senior game got in some early touches proving he can match it with the big guys of AFL. The ball was passed around the entire day well by all players such as Jeremy Crowe with his usual skill around stoppages, young gun Kyle Smith throwing himself at the ball & the Newman boys Ben, Craig & Jarrod mopping up & clearing well all day creating competative match ups, Troy was able to feed out handpasses to make terrific passages of play & Ben Drewe took a few good grabs in high pressure situations, as usual Webby who was creative with his hands taking strong marks along the foward line and at the other end of the paddock Rob Miller showed his usual commitment at the contest repelling many attacks and with brother's Ben & Alex Kratzman combining their disposals effectively the Bombers did not disappoint. The late arrival of Josh Bennett for the tired and injured team for the final 2 games of the day showed Josh really impose himself on the match with hard running and confident disposals, Chris Behan only playing a couple of games created pressure with strong attack on the ball & also only playing a couple of games Joe Capenter backed up well in the ruck. Special thanks to Coach Chris Zilm who continously encouraged his players to focus on the games with determination through out the day, along with his fantastic support team of manager Leanne Newman & First Aid Michelle Zilm, also thanks to Mark Peach for his assistacne with first aid and to the biggest hero's of the day, water runners Tom Reardon and another "Broken Ol' Bomber", Shaun Reardon (also with a bad knee) who managed to keep the fluid intake up to the boys all day. A huge thank you to the team of Bomber's supporters on the sidelines -especially little Lucas (although he managed to sleep through most of the match day highlights he was dressed for success in his tiny Bombers outfit!)
Last Modified on 15/10/2013 12:05