In this weeks Preliminary final in the ABB 2008 Premiership season the Rovers played the Buffaloes it what would be the last elimination game of the finals campaign to see who will play the Tigers in the 2008 AFL Mount Isa Grand Final to see who will hold the Stewie Horwood Premiership Cup aloft.
Rovers would have been licking their wounds throughout the week after their unexpected loss in the second semi final to the Tigers.
There was no doubt after the first bounce of the ball that the Rovers where here to redeem themselves, big forward Steve Ross started like a man possessed, marking everything that came near him, easily out hustling his opponents and kicking accurately in the first quarter, booting 6 out of the Rovers 8 majors, to lead the Buffs by 42 points at quarter time.
The second quarter started similar to the first, Rovers on-ballers Clinton Austerberry and Jimmy Thom began to show their presence around the ground setting up many forward drives to help feed Ross, Buffs players where battling hard, never giving up, by could not keep up with a fitter, stronger Rover unit. Rover
With such a big lead it would be hard for the Rovers to maintain such a furious pace, Gravy Thackeray was spicing things up in the middle, running around like a lightweight in a Heavyweights frame, creating plays and being unselfish up forward, Buffs Tom Harvey showed that he is one courageous individual throughout the game, never taking his eyes off the ball, regardless of who or how many opponents where around. Although Rovers extended their lead in the third quarter the Buffs kept the Rovers down to just five goals whilst booting one goal themselves off the boot of Brett Clark.
With the game well and truly over, well on the scoreboard at least. Rovers would need to utlilise the last quarter to prove to some of their supporters that they are able to play 4 solid quarters of football which is what will be required if they are to win the flag, while Buffaloes and their never say die attitude, always comes to the fore, it would be easy to lay down after the drubbing the had received during the game to date, however they limited their opponents to just three goals in the last quarter to fight it out to the end of their season when the final siren sounded, Rovers up by 125 points, Steve Ross with a best on ground performance kicking 13 goals 3 behinds in one of the finest individual performances this season, he was well supported by Clinton Austerberry and Jimmy Thom. Buffs Tom Harvey, Andrew Beckwith and Glen Anderson where the standouts for the Buffs.
Rovers have well and truly earned the right to take on the Tigers in next week
Grand Final, with 2 wins a piece this year, we will be in for a cracker jack display of Aussie Rules.
Tigers Coach Shaun Johnson watched Sundays game with much anticipation and could be seen jotting down many notes on the Rovers players during their huge win, a quietly confident
Mr. Johnson said his troops where ready for battle.
Rovers coach Bill Cook was pleased with his teams win, having had two forfeits for the last two games of the year, not an ideal final preparation for the minor premiers, but the solid hit out this week is what the veteran Rovers coach wanted and he look forward to this weeks Grand Final.
This weeks Grand Finals start at 9.30am kicking off with the Under 10