Goondiwindi Hawks create history in AFLQ Darling Downs grand final
The AFLQ Darling Downs season wrapped up in style with one team writing their names into the history books with a thrilling win and another proving just how good they were in 2022.
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AUSSIE RULES: Coolaroo capped off what was a near perfect season at the weekend.
The AFLQ Darling Allied Cup minor premiers were at their clinical best in the grand final beating rivals South Toowoomba Bombers 10.11-71 to 9.7-61.
Coolaroo dropped just the one game all season, a round 16 loss to Bombers, on their way to claiming the premiership.
After dominating the first three quarters of the match Coolaroo had to hold off a determined and fast-finishing Bombers outfit.
“Over the last two years we (Coolaroo and Bombers) have developed a pretty good rivalry,” Coolaroo coach Miels Grice said.
“These games tend to keep popping up which don’t help me at all because my ticker is not the best at the best of times – you boys keep fighting right through to the end.
“Hopefully as a league we can have more teams throwing up these type of matches every week.”
Fuelled by the disappointment of their 2021 semi-final exit Coolaroo where a step ahead of their opposition this year finishing six points clear at the top of the table in the regular season and with a massive 445.12% win percentage.
The Toowoomba side took that focus and drive into the grand final with every player stepping up according to Thomas Williams.
“Every single player stepped up,” Williams said.
“I think it’s fair to say as individuals everyone played well above themselves and their best games of the season.
“At the same time we put the needs of the team first.
“We stuck to our plans and played to our strengths.
“Credit to them (Bombers) they came back at us but I think the work we did in the first three quarters was too much for them.
“Winning the grand final with this team was a fantastic experience, absolutely amazing.”
Hawks soar in decider
Toowoomba Tigers and AFLQ Darling Downs women’s premierships go hand-in-hand.
For the past seven years, the Tigers have been the competition’s benchmark team and this year was looking no different.
Unbeaten in 17 regular season games, the Tigers booked their place in the grand final with a dominant 5.8 (38) to 1.0 (6) win over Goondiwindi Hawks in week one of the finals.
Chasing their eighth premiership in a row, Tigers were heavy favourites in the decider, but it was Hawks who claimed the title with a 3.3 (21) to 2.2 (14) win.
“They (Tigers) were right to be favourites this year and in the final,” Hawks club president and senior player-coach Alison Moore said.
“They’ve been one of the best teams for years and have won the past seven grand finals.”
Despite Tigers’ impressive form this season, including four lopsided wins over the Hawks, Moore and her side were confident they could win the premiership.
Tigers beat the Hawks 33-15 (round 7), 67-15 (round 12), 40-13 (round 17) and 38-6 in week one of the finals, but the border squad believed they knew the key to success.
“We played them four times before the grand finals, and they won all four games convincingly each team,” Moore said.
“Heading into the grand final we were confident though, we kept it to ourselves but we were still confident.
“I thought we had seen enough of them to know how we needed to play to stop what they do best and play to our strengths.
“We knew we would need to be at our absolute best to win and thankfully we did (win). It’s an absolutely amazing feeling, really hard to describe, I’m so proud of all the hard work the girls put in.”
In the Allied Cup, minor premiers Coolaroo capped off a memorable year with an emphatic win. South Toowoomba Bombers threatened a boilover with a spirited late fightback, but Coolaroo prevailed to claim a 10.11 (71) to 9.7 (61) win.
OTHER RESULTS: Under-14s: Bombers 59 d Tigers 27. Under-12s: Bombers 51 d Coolaroo 10.
STARS TO WATCH
Ahead of grand final day The Chronicle looked at the 24 players to watch in all divisions.
UNDER 12s
BAXTER HAMILTON (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“A crafty forward, who’s hands must be covered in glue as he hasn’t dropped a mark all season,” coach Andrew Groom said.
“Bax is in good form with his last goal coming from a set shot torpedo!”
MAX GRAY (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“He’s been crucial filling into space all over the field but he’s often naturally rolling across the half back line,” Groom said.
“With the game a foot, we’re expecting Max to continue his great season and really come into his own.”
LACHLAN HYSLOP (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“Hyssy’s hard to tackle and a threat wherever he is on the field,” Groom said.
“Keep a look out for his booming left foot and safe hands.”
NICK JENSON (COOLAROO)
He’s a good ball winner and he’s improved so much this year,” coach Tom Claydon said.
“An important part of the team playing in the backline.”
SAM PICKERING (COOLAROO)
“Like a little bulldog, he just wants the football,” Claydon said.
“He gets in and under, likes to tackle and will play in the backline.”
CHARLIE SHEATH (COOLAROO)
“A fantastic forward that can go into the ruck as well,” Claydon said.
“Has been a real X-factor for us.”
UNDER 14s
MIKAEL ARTAVILLA-BENNETT (TOOWOOMBA)
“One of our tallest players. He’s normally a fullback but can run through the middle and has a big kick on him,” coach George Leigh said.
“A very dominant player and one of our captains.”
PENELOPE BRUCE (TOOWOOMBA)
“She can run all day,” Leigh said.
“Can play at wing or fullback. She’s just a gutsy, running player.”
WILL THOMPSON (TOOWOOMBA)
“A South Australian boy who is very skilled,” Leigh said.
“Kicks goals and runs all day as well. A good asset to have on the team.”
BLAKE DOLBEL (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“Coming from Chinchilla each week for the last couple of years he’s demonstrated commitment to the team,” Groom said.
“Blake’s put together another great season of footy and is doing up his laces this game. Fast, strong and always at the ball, we’re expecting Blake to have a ripper grand final.”
RYDER ROBINSON (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“One of three Robinson family members playing today, silky skilled Ryder is primed for a big game,” Groom said.
“Keep a look out for his smooth pick-ups at pace and we’re hopeful if given the chance he’ll take a specky!”
BELLA EDWARDS (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“A key part of the heart and soul of the team. An absolute workhouse around the ground with a strong tackle and powerful kick,” Groom said.
“Bella’s always looking to get others involved and is our best on-field communicator. If you can’t see her, don’t worry, you’ll hear her.”
WOMEN
PHOEBE BASKERVILLE (GOONDIWINDI)
“She’s tough at the footy and has got a really good tank. She just keeps running all day,” coach Alison Moore said.
“A bit of a bull in the midfield.”
SARAH FULLER (GOONDIWINDI)
“She’s clever and makes good decisions,” Moore said.
“She is quick and gives us plenty of pace in the forward line.”
GEORGIA SAUNDERS (GOONDIWINDI)
“Plays on the wing, is quick and delivers the ball inside 50 really well,” Moore said.
“She is ferocious at the football and never gives up.”
KAITLYN ZELINKSI (TOOWOOMBA)
“She came fifth in the Heather Green Medal, two votes behind the winner and had a super year,” coach Neville Jericho said.
“I’d consider her the best player in the comp. A ruck rover that can hold down any position and take anybody out of the game.”
LARA PAGET (TOOWOOMBA)
“She was the league’s leading goalkicker,” Jericho said.
“Her greatest strength is her ability to read the drop zone of the ball. She’s able to get to the right spot and hold her opponents out.”
CHRISTINE WATSON (TOOWOOMBA)
“Was put forward in the AFLW Draft this year and is a young girl with huge amount of potential,” Jericho said.
“Still new to football but she’ll win all the ruck contests on the weekend, giving use first use of the ball.”
MEN
TRENT SAXELBY (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“A very hard working, fast, powerful midfielder,” coach Nathan Stewart said.
“He’s dominated games and is a naturally gifted footballer. Takes the game head on.”
JAKOB RUSHE (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“Has electric speed, is hard tackling and also takes the game on,” Stewart said.
“Is one of the toughest little players I’ve coached. Never gives up and does everything right in the midfield.”
ANDREW PEPPER (SOUTH TOOWOOMBA)
“A silky smooth, crafty small forward,” Stewart said.
“Has an unbelievable goalkicking ratio. He hardly misses. In his first year with the club.”
BRODIE ERNST (COOLAROO)
“He’s just an ever-reliable lockdown defender,” coach Miels Grice said.
“He turns up each week and does the job. Makes opposition forwards wary of his presence.”
LACHLAN PORTER (COOLAROO)
“A workhorse in the ruck and covers the ground like a gazelle,” Grice said.
“He’s just a competitive beast around a contest.”
NICK CLAYDON (COOLAROO)
“A great utility who is able to play anywhere and stand up to the role,” Grice said.
“Is the fittest out of the Claydon brothers.”
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