BY STUDENT REPORTER JEN KLOWER

Goalkeeper Gerard Kelly was a no-go zone for the QAS boys on Sunday as the Cougars determined to end the season with a win.

As the inaugural Queensland State League (QSL) wrapped up, the Cougars fiercely guarded their No 1 to earn themselves a well deserved 1-0 victory.

The last game of 2008 saw the Cougars make a last ditched attempt to triumph over the QAS as part of the city versus country battle that has been waged all season long as Craig Porter rallied his backline for only their third clean sheet of the season.

Assistant Manager Phil Trovato praised the team's defence, hard work and commitment to training all of which resulted in their win. "We've done a lot of preparation and the day did get to them a little bit and we have problems finishing off, but you take a couple of games out, our first game and one or two other games and we did really well. It's a good defence.'

Mr Trovato went on to say taking charge of the game and keeping the ball tightly in their possession was another priority this season. "We're quite proud of our wins against the Brisbane teams and a little bit disappointed of the losses to some of the country teams".

Finishing seventh on the ladder table the Cougars achieved their ambition of beating the country teams as Mr Trovato also stated that "it's such a lot of dedication and devotion from the kids that actually do make it, the biggest goal we had was to be the champion of the country teams".

"The Brisbane teams were always going to be a struggle to beat. We started with a squad of 40 with players from as far as Emerald and Gladstone [and] most couldn't meet the commitment of a three hour drive just to come to training sessions", Trovato said.

Mr Trovato went on to say the large distances between towns in Central Queensland means the team is not always able to draw on the very best talent as "we haven't got the opportunity to get the best from the region because it takes so long to actually come to training and it makes it difficult that way."

But after their first QSL season the Cougars know what they can and have to do to improve and Captain Dylan Kussrow is as happy with his team's performance as he is positive about their potential.  "Our target was to be the best country side which we came close to. That was pretty much our goal. Next year we'll be aiming higher." He said.

The Cougars management also aspires to progress Queensland football as well as their own team and, with the season now over, the emphasis is on strengthening national football. "My point of view is to try and get some younger men into the A-league for Townsville [Thunder] - that would be our priority. It doesn't matter where we [Cougars] come," Trovato said.

Although languishing in the bottom half of the points table, the Cougars are winners at home.

Recognised as consistently attracting the league's highest crowd attendance, the Cougars supporters once again turned out in large numbers on Sunday and with the bulk of the team's success being won on home soil the supporters could well prove to be the twelfth man in getting the ball across the line.

And as the boys headed over to the clubhouse for a celebratory beer it was all smiles as they look forward to a hard earned break. Dylan Kussrow could be missing the ball long before his holidays are over. "A month off and we'll get back to training again," he said.