August 24, 2016
With their season hopes on the line, South Burnett Saints dug deep on Saturday to defeat Goondiwindi Hawks in the sudden-death quarter final of the Darling Downs AFL competition.
The game, played at Lyle Vidler Oval, proved that last year’s 2nd Division Premiers can mix it with the former Division 1 teams in this year’s combined competition.
It was always going to be a tough match-up against 2015 1st Division grand finalists Goondiwindi, but the Saints led at every change and drew ahead in the third quarter.
At the first break, the margin was just one point but South Burnett had a strong second quarter, kicking six goals to three by the Hawks.
At the end of the third quarter, the home team led 13.5 (83) to 10.5 (65).
The Saints withstood a Goondiwindi fightback in the last quarter to finish ahead at the final siren: 17.7 (109) to 15.7 (97).
South Burnett goals were kicked by Ty Snow (5), Dylan Bowater (3), Carl Stevenson (3), Jordan Pressnell (2), Brad Pressnell, Paul Judge, Adam Bowater and Keegan Wright.
The Saints will now play 2015 1st Division premiers Coolaroo in a semi-final to be played at Gold Park in Toowoomba on Saturday.
Coolaroo were demolished 18.17 (125) to 6.6 (42) by University Cougars in the qualifying final played on Saturday but this shouldn’t be taken as guide to next week’s match as the ‘Roos have enjoyed a very strong season, only losing three times, each time to Cougars.
