By Beth Newman
1. Timing is everything
It’s a long season and to make a run in finals, sides need to hit their straps at the right time of year. Outside of the top two, almost all of the Allied Pickfords sides have had a slump at some point. Grange seems to be coming out of theirs at exactly the right time, fielding one of their strongest sides on the weekend. All of this sets up a sensational elimination final against Surfers on Sunday.
2. Nathan Carr is killing it
Palm Beach spearhead Nathan Carr finished the regular season, second on the leading goal kickers tally, after a sensational year. Carr has only been kept goalless twice this season, against Springwood and Sandgate, and in every other match has kicked at least two.
3. Lynch key for Cooly
It’s been a relatively inconsistent season for Coolangatta, but midfield warrior, David Lynch, has provided a constant bright spot. Lynch only missed one match this season and has been in the Blues’ best pretty much every week he’s played. The Blues will be hoping the 29 year-old will keep going after his sensational 2013.
4. Magpies forwards going strong
With their midfield getting back to full strength, the Magpies’ forward line is getting some of the best delivery in the league, and they’re taking advantage of it. With Anthony Corrie leading the year’s goals tally, and two others in Brady Allen and Val Pope in the top ten, the Magpies have certainly got some reliable options up forward.
5. Students can be satisfied
UQ came into the Allied Pickfords Cup for the first time in 2013 with nothing to lose. Despite some bad luck with injuries in the middle of the year, the students have shown plenty of good signs this year. They pushed Springwood to the limit and showed a stark improvement with their win over Maroochydore in Round one.
6. There’s always something to play for
Sandgate may not have got the result against Springwood, but the young Hawks showed one of the grittiest games of the year. Corbin Dickfos played much of the game with a rib injury, kicking three, and the Hawks never let Springwood up. It gave the Pumas a great warm up for September and Sandgate finished their 2013 with the best result outside of a win. That attitude is a good sign for the future.
