Now is the time to rise
Finals race heats up on the Downs
With five rounds of the Allied Pickford’s Cup remaining, the race to this season’s finals is wide-open.
Last weekend’s results created major congestion in the bottom half of the top four, as four teams sit on 24 competition points.
USQ and South Toowoomba, both with wins on the board and strong percentages, look virtually assured of a spot in the top-two.
Their encounter in round 15 could decide who takes home the minor premiership.
Spots three and four remain a lottery, as four teams battle it out to go into two.
AFL Darling Downs president Leigh Riseley said it would be a hotly contested finish to the regular season.
“I’m expecting to see a hard fight from Coolaroo to make the finals. They’ll be under the pump to get there when you have a look at their follow-up games, they’re on a bit of a hard draw,” Riseley said.
“With South Burnett you don’t know if they’re going to turn up. They have a strong team when they put them on the paddock, but don’t seem to travel well. If they turn up I’m pretty confident they will make it interesting at the top end.
“I expect Goondiwindi to be there as well, and Warwick have a fairly good run coming home.
“We’re looking forward to having a good carnival at the end of the year at Rockville.”
Coolaroo has the toughest run-home of the four teams in contention with three games against sides in the top-six.
Goondiwindi also meets three teams in that bracket, but has the benefit of a game in hand.
These two sides are set to meet this Saturday, with the loser expected to finish the round in sixth.
Warwick and South Burnett both face just one side in the top-four in their remaining four matches, however the Redbacks currently possess a far superior for and against.
The women’s Westpac Cup finals positioning is all but set, with Toowoomba and USQ to finish in the top two and South Toowoomba and South Burnett in third and fourth.