GRAND FINAL: Inverell Saints v Tamworth Kangaroos
So after a year of footy it comes down, predictably some might suggest, to the Inverell Sains hosting the Tamworth Kangaroos to decide who will take home the 2010 Country Energy Cup. These two teams have played in all three major semi-finals in the last three years, and two of the last three grand finals in one of the newest but fiercest League rivalries. From those five most recent finals encounters, the Saints lead with 3 victories to 2, and maybe more importantly the Saints have won the last two of their finals matches. To balance that, the Roos are the only team to have down the Saints this year and would appear to be the only team in the League genuinely capable of putting the brakes on the Inverell juggernaut.
These two last met in the major semi-final, on the same track at Varley Oval, with the Saints winning by two goals. All sorts of reports have come out of that match, with some suggesting the Saints were in control until some fortunate decisions from the officials gave the Kangaroos a leg-up back into the match, whilst others suggest the Roos should have won the match were it not for some fortunate decisions that went the Saints way. It looked to me to be symptomatic of where both teams are - the Saints having the Kangaroos measure for the most part, and the Kangaroos being disciplined and determined to come back and make the Sainters earn the hosting rights for the Big Show. If you heed the press, neither team has been beaten on their merits this year, which will have them both full of confidence into this.
The Kangaroos could not have been less impressive in their victory over the Nomads and were reported to have been very lucky to scrape through. But through they came, with one worry being the fact that they appear well short of mudlarks on exposed form this year and reports of good rain due in the north-west on Thursday and into Friday. A soft track and a slippery Sherrin does not appear to suit the Kangaroos, and may work more into the hands of the bigger and tougher Inverell unit.
I won't try and guess match-ups because Roos coach Tony Bishop's team board is likely to get shaken up in the trip up again. Will Daniel Johnson go to full forward? He has been good there, so one can only imagine he will. Dan Overeem and Ash Cruickshank provide good foils to him but there may be a lack of a genuine half forward target. With Shaun Mansbridge and Jono Elphick as the defensive generals, the Saints are a tough mob to penetrate. The Kangaroos midfield, consistently beaten by the keen Nomads last week, will have to right on their game to provide good service. Cam Douglas did not enjoy his tag last week, but may not get the same attention here and will need to step up for the Roos to be competitive. Tim Cotter and Luke Robinson can win plenty of ball, as can Corey Wheeler for the Saints and his cohorts stength at the contest will present a big challenge for the Roos. The Kangaroos defence, lead by Col Daye and perhaps an injection of coach Tony Bishop, can also be hard to penetrate, but they have no match-up for Jason Gobbert. He is liable to have another day out, and too much focus on him will see Joe Kimmince, Mick Corcoran and Chris Whitton free to keep the goals ticking over.
As with most season enders, the form can be thrown away and attitude is the most important. The Saints will be more toey than a kid on prom night, having played in but won just one of the last three Grand Finals. They will know that 25% is not a satisfactory return in their fourth consecutive final day appearance, so I expect them to come firing out of the blocks. Controlling that emotion and focusing it correctly will be their main challenge for the first ten. The challenge for the Kangaroos at the same time is meeting the Saints' aggression and enthusiasm. Once the game settles, I expect that the Saints will take control with the Kangaroos, like a cross-bred fox terrier, snapping away at their heels and just refusing to be kicked into submission. The score at three-quarter time will be telling, for the Kangaroos will draw some verve from a fortnight ago if they are within three or four goals of the Saints at that stage. The Saints, meanwhile, will be a very nervous bunch if the Roos are anywhere within striking distance with a quarter to play. Will the Saints get the yips, or will the pain of two losses drive them forward to a 2010 Premiership? Only time will give us that answer...
THE DRUM: Saints by five goals.
Last Modified on 07/09/2010 12:30