Gundy continues rise
Vital wins in race for the finals
AUSSIE RULES: The race for berths in the finals got a whole lot more interesting in the Allied Pickford’s Cup during round 11.
Coolaroo, Goondiwindi and Warwick all picked up crucial wins, setting up a four-way tie for third position on the ladder, with South Burnett also in the logjam.
The Hawks picked up win number five on the trot with a 28.10 (178) to 5.13 (43) demolition of Highfields.
David O’Toole kept his goalscoring form intact, kicking 12 goals and taking out best on ground honours.
The player-coach was full of praise for another victory, however warned his side needed to maintain their form to cement their finals spot.
“Obviously we’re very pleased and we’re growing in confidence,” O’Toole said.
“We need to replicate that against top quality teams, which is exactly what we’ve got ahead of us. It’s a big test to see if we can continue to perform well against stronger oppositions.”
That starts this weekend when they host fourth-placed Coolaroo in a blockbuster clash at Riddles Oval.
“Coolaroo are a side we’ve had trouble with over the years,” he said.
“We have a lot of respect for them. They’re always dangerous so we’re very mindful of them and know have to be at our best to beat them.”
Coolaroo is coming off a big 27.34 (196) to 1.1 (7) win over Dalby, which saw the team finish with 15 individual goalscorers.
Warwick put South Burnett
to the sword at WCU Oval, defeating the Saints 19.18 (132) to 3.4 (22). Ben Heppell had seven majors and Tyhe Clarkson booted home five, as the Redbacks dominated from the outset to move them into fifth on percentages.
The USQ Cougars maintained their hot form in the Westpac Cup, scoring a comprehensive 5.16 (46) to 0.0 (0)
win over Toowoomba.
It all but ensures a top-two berth for the Cougars who have now won four straight games.
South Burnett turned the tables on an understrength South Toowomba side, coming out 8.5 (53) to 6.6 (42) winners.
The Saints trailled by one heading into the final term, but were able to pull out plenty to secure their second win of 2018.