September 11, 2014
by Jeff Neumann
AFL Darling Downs
After the excitement of running out in Round 1, the gruelling and cold June training sessions and 19 rounds of regular games it all comes down to this … Grand Final day, the day when star players shine and winning sides are remembered forever.
It’s a season in which the South Burnett Saints recorded a club record 10-game winning streak, and the year the Cougars unearthed future stars in Isaac Parker and Sam Purtill.
Now it all comes down to this: the Division 2 competition’s number one ranked attacking side up against the number one ranked defensive side for the premiership.
Here’s six points for fans to consider:
1. The South Burnett Saints have dominated the Cougars in season 2014, winning by an average margin of 32 points across their three meetings this season.
2. University is aiming for their 8th Division 2nd Division AFL Darling Downs title with their last flag in 2012. Before that it was 1997 against the then Kingaroy Bulldogs. If you take into account their Kingaroy legacy, the Saints will be gunning for their fourth premiership, as Kingaroy has won three previous flags, their last in 2001.
3. South Burnett and University have never met at Rockville Oval, a venue that is vastly different to both clubs’ home grounds. Adapting to the Wilsonton wind gusts will be something players will need to understand early.
4. Finals experience will count in the decider. A majority of University’s list played in last year’s Grand Final and those that did will be important in this big game, as Grand Finals turn some players into super weapons and others go missing.
5. South Burnett averages 125.6 points per game, with their attacking unit the best in the competition. With the likes of Adam Bowater, Brad Edwards and Ty Snow, the Saints trio are the most potent in the competition. However the Saints attacking unit come up against the number one defensive unit. The University defensive group have only let in on average 35 points per game this season.
6. The Cougars are statistically better starters, winning more than 50 per cent of their opening halves. South Burnett however, are better finishers with the Saints winning more than 65 per cent of their second halves. This is an interesting statistic with four quarters of footy needed to win the flag.
This will be a close contest, with somewhere between one and nine points should be the final margin.
The final make-up of the University side will come down to how their Division 1 side fairs on Saturday in the Division 1 Grand Final against Coolaroo.
South Burnett go into this match as favourites, taking out the minor premiership and advancing first into the Grand-Final gives the Saints bragging rights and flag favouritism. However, University have played in this type of big game before and finals experience counts for everything in September.
The Cougars easily put the Highfields Lions aside last week and look prime for their charge towards victory.
Both sides boast experienced players along with energetic youth.
The first five minutes will be important and both sides will be looking to their leaders to have an impact.
For the Saints they will be looking towards Adam Bowater, Keiran Snow, Ty Snow, Daniel Rogers and co.
University will look to Isaac Parker, Brendon McDonald, Steve McLennan to have an early impact.
Each sides coaching staff will be important as well, keeping calm on the sidelines will be pivotal to teams on-field performance.
