The Warwick Gardens Galore Redbacks travelled to Toowoomba for the Roos’ Kick for Cancer match, where the Roos secured a commanding 113-point victory in their AFLQ Darling Downs round 15 match.
Despite the scoreline, 20-13 (133) and 3-2 (20), the young Redbacks team fought fiercely throughout all four quarters, presenting a strong challenge to the Roos.
In the first quarter, both teams engaged in a fierce contest. The Redbacks created several opportunities inside 50 early on but struggled to capitalise. It was Coolaroo’s recruit for the day, Rhan Hooper, who hit the scoreboard first, followed by another goal shortly after. Brendan Iles responded with the Redbacks’ first goal of the day. By the end of the first quarter, the Roos led 4-5 (29) to 1-0 (6).
The second quarter maintained the same intensity, with Coolaroo kicking six straight goals compared to the Redbacks’ one goal and two behinds, stretching the lead to 51 points at halftime.
The Redbacks’ bench received a white card after a passionate exchange following a heavy collision involving one of their players, showcasing the camaraderie and mateship developing among the new crop of Redbacks.
The junior Redbacks took to the field for a halftime game against the Roos and represented the Red and Blue well, showcasing the skills of the exciting future Redbacks champions.
In the third quarter, the Redbacks were held scoreless but managed to restrict the Roos to four goals with strong defensive running. The final quarter saw another six-goal performance from Coolaroo, resulting in a 113-point final margin.
Augustus Macdade kicked his first goal for the Redbacks with a massive 60-metre roost, previewing the longest kick competition later in the evening in which he kicked a monster torpedo to take home the win.
Tyhe Clarkson was awarded the medal for the Redbacks’ best on ground after a strong showing through the midfield, consistently reading the taps and getting first hands on the ball. Anthony Rixon stood out as the defensive general, repelling the Roos’ attacks and setting up rebounds. Brendan Iles remained a strong marking target, creating scoring opportunities for the Redbacks. Steven Grogan led from the front, acting as the key link in the Redbacks’ possession chain, running hard to create options.
Zac Wall made his presence felt in the midfield with strong contested marks and effective ball use, while Cameron Goulter attacked the contest with relentless effort, leaving everything on the field.
Goals: Iles 2, Macdade 1. Best: Clarkson, Rixon, Iles, Grogan, Wall and Goulter.
