COOLAROO WIN AFLDD THRILLER
Coolaroo downs Tigers in single point thriller
AUSSIE RULES: The spirit of the old boys was right behind the Toowoomba Tigers, and it gave grand finalists Coolaroo an almighty scare.
In one of the games of the Allied Pickfords Cup season to date, Coolaroo overcame a sizeable halftime deficit to prevail 11.13 (79) to 11.12 (78) at Rockville Oval.
The Tigers produced a second-quarter ambush, turning a five-point lead at the first change into a 29-point advantage at the main break.
Not to be outdone, Coolaroo found a resurgence in the third term, kicking six goals to trail by just one.
Just when the Roos looked to be sitting pretty after two goals to start the quarter, Toowoomba fired back with two late goals, but were unable to find a matchwinner in the dying stages.
“It was a great win. Our players were able to dig deep and stand up,” Coolaroo coach Darren Copland said.
“Out first half was terrible, it was probably our worst half of footy for the year, but the Tigers played really well.
“There was greater accountability (in the second half) and people were doing their job. Greeny (Adam Green) gave us a good spark in the third by kicking the first three.
“Momentum is a wonderful thing when it’s going your way.”
The narrow victory ensures Coolaroo stay entrenched among the top three sides, while Toowoomba sits in last place still without a win.
While Copland is happy with how his side is positioned, he said the Tigers won’t have to wait long to get on the board.
“We’re happy with how we’re travelling,” he said.
“We’ve got a couple of big testing weeks coming up with South Burnett and South Toowoomba.
“It’s a sprint of a season, so you just have to keep winning.
“Toowoomba was always going to play well on their old boys day, and they’re going much better than the results show.
“If they get a few wins under their belt they’ll be hard to beat.”
Around the grounds, Goondiwindi reclaimed top spot on the ladder with a comfortable 17.11 (113) to 0.6 (6) defeat of South Burnett at Riddles Oval.
David O’Toole kicked four goals as the Hawks defensive line suffocated the Saints forward six.
Dalby secured its first win of the season after downing Warwick 11.6 (72) to 9.3 (57) at home.
The Swans trailed by 12 points heading into the final term, before they were propelled by a five-goal fourth quarter to guide them home.
Dylan Taylor kicked three goals for the home side, while Nicholas Donges booted home six for the Redbacks in the de
feat.
GOONDIWINDI GETS OFF THE MARK
After dropping their first three games of the season, the Hawkettes secured their first victory of 2020 with a hardfought 6.7 (43) to 3.7 (25) defeat of South Burnett on Ladies’ Day at Riddles Oval.
Goondiwindi led from start to finish in the polished display, with six individual goalscorers getting on the scoresheet.
Toowoomba moved into outright top spot with a comprehensive 9.12 (66) to 0.2 (2) defeat of South Toowoomba at Rockville Oval.
Meg Pullinger was unstoppable in the forward line for the Tigers, slotting five majors throughout the afternoon.