USQ chasing double glory
The Cougars will have plenty of reasons to roar on grand final day with both senior men’s and women’s teams progressing after weekend victories.
The men shrugged off a slow start to power over the top of Goondiwindi, taking a 13.6 (84) to 5.6 (36) victory in their qualifying final on Saturday, while the women held on throughout the closing stages to defeat Toowoomba 7.4 (46) to 5.6 (36).
Riding a wave of momentum with 10-straight wins, the Hawks started with a flurry, keeping the minor premiers scoreless on their way to a 17point lead at the first change.
In another low-scoring quarter that saw just three majors, USQ managed to pull six points closer, but still found themselves trailing at the main break.
USQ captain Cory Balnaves said the going was tough in the early stages as they struggled to gain the upper hand.
“They turned up to play in the first half and we fell into the trap of playing the way they wanted us to play and playing to their strengths,” he said.
“We regrouped at half time and talked about sticking to our game plan.
“We used the ground to our advantage and spread the ball really well with our young players.”
From that point on the flag favourites kicked into gear, piling on five goals in the third and six in the fourth to come away with a commanding 48point win, taking them to the grand final on September 8.
Balnaves said the young players in the side deserved credit for their role in getting the team to the grand final.
“I’m really proud of them. They’ve stuck with it and stepped up for the team,” he said.
“They’ve playing pretty well and some are best on ground nearly every week.”
Josh Timmer finished with a game-high eight goals, and Balnaves said his presence in the forward line was a difference maker.
“He got good delivery and put himself in the right spot. Josh fought hard all day and came out on top,” he said.
“It was a good day for him and as a midfielder it’s probably the best thing when you can put the ball out there and let him do his thing.
“When he comes out with eight, that’s what you want.”
The women on the other hand came out like a rocket in their qualifying final against Toowoomba, keeping their opponents en route to a 26-0 lead at the first break.
The Tigers worked their way back to be just five down heading into the last, but weren’t able to run down their rivals.
Tania Hickey and Nyengela Mwajuma both finished with two goals.
‘‘ WE USED THE GROUND TO OUR ADVANTAGE AND SPREAD THE BALL REALLY WELL. CORY BALNAVES
ELIMINATION FINALS
Warwick have again defeated South Toowoomba to keep their season alive over consecutive weeks, this time taking a 15.6 (96) to 12.10 (82) victory.
The Redbacks produced a 30-point win during the last round of the regular season to book their finals spot, and proved it was no fluke by repeating the dosage.
Trailing by a goal heading into the final term, Warwick found more than their opponents when it counted.
Ben Heppell’s six goals helped the Redbacks over the line, and they will again be relying on the premier forward to work his magic in this weekend’s preliminary final against Goondiwindi.
In the Westpac Cup elimination semi, South Toowoomba overcame an inaccurate display of kicking in front of goal to finish comfortable 5.19 (49) to 1.3 (9) winners over South Burnett.