AFLQ Darling Downs Allied Cup mid-season report

As we pass the halfway mark in the 2024 AFLQ Darling Downs Allied Cup season, we run the rule over all seven clubs. See how your club is going here.

Joshua Challis of Toowoomba Tigers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

As we hit the halfway point in the AFLQ Darling Downs Allied Cup season, we run the rule over all the teams in the competition and highlight what has and hasn’t worked ahead of a blockbuster second half of the season.

See how your club has fared below.

Toowoomba Tigers

The Tigers have been one of the standout sides in the opening two months of the season and are on top of the ladder with six wins from eight games.

However, while they may be currently on top of the ladder, they still have a long way to go to match the form of Coolaroo, who defeated the Tigers 105-38 back in round 3.

Toowoomba suffered back to back defeats in rounds 3 and 4 but have been a force to be reckoned with since then with the return of key forward Rohan Drummond a major factor in their resurgence.

Drummond has played just four games but is still fourth in the leading goalkicker race with 13 majors.

The leadership of Josh Challis and Bailey Glasscock has also been pivotal for the Tigers as they have combined for 11 best players nominations and 10 goals.

Toowoomba will have its biggest indicator on where it stands heading into finals in the next three games - where they face the Goondiwindi Hawks, South Toowoomba Bombers and Coolaroo.

If the Tigers can put in strong performances against those three sides, then there will be no questioning their credentials as contenders when finals roll round.

Jacob Sheath in action for Coolaroo. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Coolaroo

The Roos’ dominance has continued this season as they have won five of six games and boast an astonishing percentage of 169.79.

Coolaroo sent a statement of intent in its opening two games when it defeated fellow top three sides Goondiwindi (125-15) and Toowoomba (105-38) in emphatic fashion.

However, they did suffer a shock defeat to the Hawks on the weekend, as Goondiwindi claimed revenge with a 86-53 win.

In a testament to their stunning all-round dominance in all areas of the field, the Roos boast both the best offensive record in the competition with average 81.5 points scored per game and second best defensive record - conceding just 48 points per game.

Sensational forward Jacob Sheath has been the main man in attack for Coolaroo with 14 goals in five games, while Jayden Smith and Tim Lewis have been as reliable as ever.

Despite their shock defeat to Goondiwindi, it is still all smooth sailing for the Roos and they remain the team to beat headed into the second half of the campaign.

Goondiwindi Hawks

It has been a mixed bag for Goondiwindi this season as they have defeated each of the three other sides in the top four but still only have a 5-3 record after eight games.

The Hawks have arguably the most terrifying forward partnership in the league with Daniel Brown (22 goals) and Charlie Farrer (18) the two leading goalkickers.

Goondiwindi has been solid across the park, averaging 76.6 points for and 63.89 points against per game.

The main focus for the Hawks moving forward towards finals will be consistency, as they have shown they have what it takes to not only compete, but defeat the sides expected to be finals contenders.

However, despite their talent across the park, they have proven to be mortal, thanks to defeats to Coolaroo (125-15), University (83-33) and South Toowoomba (60-33).

Ryan Hodgson of South Toowoomba Bombers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

South Toowoomba Bombers

The Bombers have shown plenty of promise throughout the season but have not quite had that finishing touch of the teams above them on the ladder.

With four wins and four losses with a percentage of 125.97, there has been a lot to like from the South Toowoomba side this season.

Three of their four losses have been by less than three goals including two by less than 10 points to fellow contenders Coolaroo and Tigers.

However, after a shaky start, where the Bombers won one of their first five games, Jason Shepardson’s side have turned their season around and are on a three-game win streak.

One of the most exciting aspects of this team has been the variety of quality forward targets.

Ryan Hodgson, Bradley Harrison and Josh Liddington have combined for 35 goals this season and meaning it is rare that a game goes by where at least one of them is not on a roll.

These three players will be key for the Bombers in the second half of the season in their quest for finals.

South Burnett Saints

After a season which started with much promise, the Saints have found themselves in a mid-season slump - losing their last three games.

The Saints hit the ground running in 2024, winning three of their first four games but have not registered a win since their round 5 clash with the Warwick Redbacks.

With an average of 57.14 points per game, one of the main focuses for South Burnett in the second half of the season will be to increase their offensive output.

While they have still scored more points than they have conceded, they will definitely need to be a more consistent forward threat if they are to contend in finals this season.

The likes of Fletcher Brown and Jack Mines will be key to a turnaround in the second half of the campaign as they have already combined for 17 goals and are the main forward targets for the Saints.

Jaiden Fidge kicks for University Cougars. Picture: Kevin Farmer

University Cougars

Like the Saints, the Cougars are only four points outside of the top four but still have plenty of work to do if they are to find a way into finals.

University has shown it has what it takes to contend with the finals sides, with its round 5 win over the Hawks evidence of that.

However, aside from that one clash with Goondiwindi, the Cougars have not defeated anyone else above them on the ladder, with their only other wins coming against the Warwick Redbacks.

Jaiden Fidge and James Potter lead the way for the Cougars in attack with 15 goals between them.

If the Cougars can give the pair more opportunities to make an impact in front of goal, then they may have a chance to push for finals but it will be a tough task with the Saints and Bombers both boasting strong squads.

Warwick Redbacks

This season will be all about building for the future for the Redbacks as they are currently last and without a win in 2024.

One of their most promising games came in round 8, where they were defeated by 16 points to the University Cougars.

The Redbacks remained within touching distance for the entire contest but could not quite match the talent of University.