At left, Bulldogs’ Josh Hollis and Tigers’ Lyle Clifford
After hosting cricket’s ICC U/19s World Cup Final in August, football returns to Tony Ireland Stadium which hosts AFL Townsville’s Grand Final Day this Saturday September 15th.
Two clubs will feature in all 4 events as the Thuringowa Bulldogs and Hermit Park Tigers contest the 14s, 16s, Reserves, and Seniors.
The 14s will kick the day off at 8:30am, 16s at 10:30am, Reserves at 12:30pm, and the Seniors game 3pm.
Special guests include Brigadier Shane Caughey AM CSC (Commander 3rd Brigade, Lavarack Barracks Townsville) who will present the Ricco Butler Medal to the Best on Ground and AFLQ CEO Michael Conlan who will present the Premiership Cup and Shield to the winning Coach and Captain.
Thuringowa have gone through undefeated in 2012, led by their dominant midfielders Clint Austerberry (2012 WJ Williams Medallist) and 2012 Queensland Country representative Ricky Sullivan. These two will provide plenty of headaches for Tigers coach Barry Gibson as he prepares to dismantle the Bulldogs.
Gibson will be hoping the leg speed of Stannis Agita and Darby Walmsley will create enough scoring opportunities to put the Bulldogs defence, led by captain/coach Paul Sanson, under pressure they haven’t experienced for much of the year.
The Bulldogs accounted for the Tigers by a comfortable 43 points in the 2nd SF two weeks ago, but prior to that in late July only got home by 11 points despite Hermit Park having 9 more scoring shots.
The Tigers fancy themselves in causing an upset, and much interest will centre around the availability of representative ruckman Andrew Grubba, who has been training with the group, but last played on May 12th.
Live score updates for all these games can be followed on Twitter @AFLNorthQld
