Willowburn aims to lift intensity in semi-final

Willowburn prepares to face Rockville for place in football grand final

CLOSE BATTLE: Willowburn's Brayden Thrupp (left) competes with USQ's Alex Dyball. Willowburn plays Rockville tomorrow for a spot in the Toowoomba Football League premier men's grand final. Picture: Kevin Farmer

FOOTBALL: Willowburn coach Nick Rundle is adamant not a lot needs to change in his team for Sunday's semi-final.

Losing 2-1 to USQ in last weekend's major semi-final, Rundle said his team simply needed to lift its game.

"I thought we were the better team in the first half,” Rundle said.

"We had four one-on-one opportunities and only scored one goal.

"In the second half they (USQ) shot twice and scored twice.

"Fair credit to them though, they were the better side in the second half.

"We need to produce for 90 minutes if we want to win.”

Facing Rockville, who beat Gatton 1-0 in the knock-out semi, Rundle said he believed winning the midfield would also be important.

"Key for us will be replicating our first half against USQ for the whole game,” he said.

"We need to lift our intensity and put pressure on them in the midfield.

"It's important we control the midfield because if we don't they have the players to really hurt.

"The goal for us is to control the midfield, win the ball high up the paddock and push forward with speed.”

GAME DAY: Willowburn play Rockville at Gatton's Lee Dixon Oval today. Kick-off is 3pm.

Originally published as Willowburn aims to lift intensity in semi-final