By Casey OÇonnor
Coolaroo FC took the sting out of the Warwick’s Gardens Galore Redbacks in the round three clash of the AFL Darling Downs competition on Saturday.
Both teams headed into the game undefeated after each scored solid wins to open the 2023 season.
Coolaroo, the defending Premiers, served up a harsh dose of reality to the visitors with a thumping 23.12 -150 – 4.5 -29 win at Rockville oval.
Redbacks coach, Tyhe Clarkson said poor decision making proved costly.
“Obviously it is a disappointing scoreline, however we were happy with our ball movement for the most part,” coach Clarkson said.
“We were let down by some poor decision making with ball in hand and a few poor kicks.”
The Premiers began well kicking the first two goals of the game before the Redbacks got on the scoreboard.
The Reddies first points came after a strong mark from Lintenbrink in the first quarter. Coolaroo were on fire and did not miss a goal. At the end of the first term it was Coolaroo seven goals to the Redbacks one goal three behinds.
The second quarter followed the same pattern. The Redbacks moved the footy well in patches but missed the all-important kicks inside 50.
The Roos rebounding with ease to record a further four goals eight behind in the quarter. The Redbacks only goal in the quarter was kicked by new recruit Jordan Keays.
Trailing by 59 points at the halftime break, the Redbacks defence was under the pump.
In an effort to bolster their defence, Andrew Grogan was sent back and had immediate impact. Grogan’s fight at the contest repelled countless attacks from Coolaroo.
Clarkson kicked a much-needed goal for the Redbacks and Lintenbrink added his second shortly after to close the gap. Despite a better performance from the Redbacks in the third quarter it was the Roos who finished stronger. Coolaroo added five more goals to their tally.
Redbacks managed two goals one behind as the home side headed into the final quarter with an unassailable 76-point lead.
The Roos finished with a strongly booting another seven goals in the last to push the final margin out to 121 points.
Josh White was named the Players Player. Other to catch the eye in the game were Corey Buhagiar, Andrew Grogan, Samson Lowney, Steven Grogan and Tyhe Clarkson.
The Redbacks goal kickers were Lintenbrink (2); Clarkson (1) and Keays (1).
The two teams don’t meet again until August, giving the Redbacks time to build before taking on the benchmark team again.
“The boys all have work to do, and we will be back, hopefully firing at the pointy end of the season when we host Coolaroo,” Clarkson said.
The Redbacks will hope to bounce back from their shellacking when they travel to Kingaroy on Saturday to play the South Burnett Saints in the annual Ben Brooks Memorial game.
