Toowoomba Chronicle readers have their say on the sporting year of 2022
The Chronicle put the big sporting questions out to our readers, and you delivered. Check out the full results from our 2022 sporting poll covering 10 sports.
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WITH another Covid impacted year now in the rear view mirror, the region’s sporting stars are looking ahead to breaking the shackles in 2022.
As we prepare for a huge sporting year over the next 12 months, The Chronicle sports team gives its predictions for what we can expect this year from 10 sports, and looks at how the readers voted for their outcomes for the year ahead.
RUGBY LEAGUE
OUR SAY: The Goondiwindi men to go back-to-back in 2022, with Southern Suburbs and Oakey on the cusp of the finals.
Gatton women to make it consecutive premierships, with Newtown to make the grand final as well.
YOUR SAY: Goondiwindi topped the fan poll with 27 per cent of the vote, ahead of Highfields, Oakey and Pittsworth all on 14 per cent. Newtown were the popular pick in the women’s comp with 25 per cent, in front of Gatton and Valleys on 17 per cent.
FOOTBALL
OUR SAY: The Highfields women to push their title claims, with Willowburn also to be firmly in the race for the men’s crown in 2022. The SWQ Thunder men to earn promotion to the top flight.
YOUR SAY: Willowburn’s men were the popular pick with 36 per cent, ahead of defending champions St Albans in secon on 22 per cent. Fans are predicting the senior double, with the women on top with 29 per cent, edging out Highfields (22 per cent) and South Toowoomba (21 per cent).
AUSSIE RULES
OUR SAY: University to go one better in 2022 and lift the Allieds Cup, with the Toowoomba women to continue their dominance and make it eight straight victories. Dalby Swans to push for a finals berth in the women’s comp.
YOUR SAY: South Toowoomba to complete an Allieds Cup treble (34 per cent) and University to finish in second again (25 per cent). Toowoomba were a clear choice in the women’s vote with 45 per cent.
HOCKEY
OUR SAY: Beaten grand finalists Past High (women) and Norths (men) to turn the tables and return to the summit of Toowoomba A1 hockey.
YOUR SAY: The Newtown men were popular with 57 per cent of votes, in front of Norths on 29 per cent. Past High women earned 60 per cent of votes, in front of Newtown and Rangeville on 20 per cent.
RUGBY UNION
OUR SAY: Goondiwindi to continue its winning form in the Risdon Cup with Gatton and Condamine in the finals. Roma to get the chocolates inthe Emilee Cherry Cup.
YOUR SAY: Goondiwindi’s dominance to extend in the Risdon Cup with 43 per cent of the vote, ahead of Bears (15 per cent). Close voting saw Bears, Gatton, Rangers, Roma and USQ all tied in the Emilee Cherry Cup poll.
TOUCH FOOTBALL
OUR SAY: Toowoomba players to have a strong representation in state and national teams, and the Twisters and Swans to each pick up a title in 2022.
YOUR SAY: Voters sided with our teams to collect two titles for the year, with half of respondents backing our prediction of a pair.
NETBALL
OUR SAY: The Darling Downs Panthers to secure their first ever finals win in the Ruby Series. A Toowoomba school to make the top five at the Vicki Wilson Championships.
YOUR SAY: 46 per cent of voters are backing the Panthers to reach the grand final, with 36 per cent believing they can repeat last year and make the finals.
BASKETBALL
OUR SAY: The Toowoomba Mountaineers women to make the finals of the QSL, and at least three medals from junior teams at statewide tournaments.
YOUR SAY: The women have been backed in, with 50 per cent tipping them to make the finals, and 25 per cent of voters daring to dream for dual championships.
SWIMMING/ATHLETICS
OUR SAY: A haul of at least 10 gold medals across athletics and swimming championships throughout 2022.
YOUR SAY: Voters couldn’t be split on how many medals our athletes will bring home this year, with 20+ and 11-15 the popular elects.
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