The University cougars and Dalby Swan will battle it out for the under 16 darling downs premiership on Saturday.
University Cougars will go into the Darling Downs under 16 Grand Final as red hot favourites.
The Cougars have come out on top in every encounter with their opponents the Dalby Swans so far this season.
They also welcome back skipper Sam Cooper who was missing in action throughout the finals series due to illness.
Cooper will bolster the University defence/midfield lines with his first class decision making and ball use.
The Cougars have appeared lost at different stages throughout the game while Cooper has been out but his return should change that.
Not to be outdone, Dalby welcomes back star play maker Dan Mauch who was missing from their qualifying final but slipped seamlessly back into the team in the Swans win over the Bombers last week.
Mauch is quick and hard to tackle and will cause a few headaches for the Cougars.
Connor Pyke is a key figure to the Cougars success, he is extremely quick and can play virtually anywhere.
Pyke is the type of players the Cougars can build their team around and they will be looking for a big game from him.
University’s Josh White can be thrown in as a wild card game changer as well.
He’s a hardnosed midfield who flies under many opponents radars, but shouldn’t be underestimated for his ability in contested possession.
White can be considered a “smokey” for best on ground honours at the weekend.
The Swans boast a superstar trio in Mauch, Brodie Easton through the midfield and Harry Milford as a key forward.
Easton is a silky left-footed midfielder while Milford’s style has been likened to Geelong’s Steve Johnson.
Statistically Dalby rate as the better attacking team out of the two while the Cougars lay claims to the best defensive side, making this one almost too close to call.
University were relentless in their Qualifying Final game but inaccuracy, particularly in the third quarter hindered their winning margin.
They will need to make the most of their inside 50s, as the Swans will jump on any wasted opportunities.
Contested possession will make all the difference in what should be some very exciting junior football.
The under 16 game starts at 12.30pm following the under 12s and 14s at Rockville Oval in Toowoomba on Saturday.
2012 Results University V Dalby
Round 9: University 8.10 (58) def. Dalby 6.14 (50)
Round 17: University 21.18 (144) def. Dalby 1.2 (8)
Qualifying Final: University 9.14 (68) def. Dalby 6.3 (39)
