Match One: Tamworth Swans v Inverell Saints WASHED OUT
Number One Oval was again closed over the weekend, which saw the match between the Swans and Saints washed out. With the Round 8 fixtures already cancelled due to wet weather, it is highly unlikely this match can be caught up before the end of the season. A decision will be made soon by the TAFL Executive as to when the ladder will become dependent on match ratio.
Match Two: Tamworth Kangaroos 10.16.76 def Musellbrook Cats 3.11.29 at Werriman Field
With all of the wet weather through the week, it was hardly surprising the conditions were less than ideal at Werriman Field on Saturday afternoon for the clash between the Cats and Roos. The Roos however handled the conditions the better and were able to make hay literally while the sun shone, kicking away to an early advantage in the first quarter and were never headed.
The first quarter started under threatening skies, but it was at least dry during the first 25 minutes of this clash. Coming off last week’s big win, the Roos started confidently and kicked away to an early 21 point lead at first change. They had the better of the chances and probably should have been in front by even further, but coach Brett Douglas must have been happy at the first change.
The Cats responded in the second quarter. They kicked the first of the quarter and started to look threatening across the field as they used their run and carry to good effect. The Roos managed a couple of goals themselves and maintained a 23 point lead at the long break.
It was during half time the conditions turned for the worse, with the second half of footy descending into a hard slog in the wet conditions. Neither side was able to display the kind of footy they like to play, and only 4 goals were kicked for the entire 50 minutes, all by the Roos. The final margin had pushed out to 47 points, but both clubs would have been happy with the way they fought through the conditions.
For the victors, veteran Dan Overeem was the main avenue through goal with three majors, with Brad Rees, Luke Robinson and Dan Gimbert their best. For the Cats, David Howard was their multiple goal kicker with 2 goals, with John Mahy, Mark McLaughlin and Brian Martin the best in a losing effort.
Match Three: New England Nomads 16.16.112 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 8.10.58 at Leitch Oval
TAFL footy returned to Narrabri on Saturday as the Dogs were forced to move their game from Gunnedah following the closure of Wolseley on Friday morning. The efforts of both clubs to ensure the game still went ahead is very commendable and excellent to see that the footy was played despite the hurdles of changing venue on short notice.
The Nomads started the game of playing hot footy on the cramped confines of Leitch. Despite the extra 50 minutes travel, the Nomads got off to a great start as many of the current crop of New Englanders would never have played in Narrabri. They piled on 6 majors for the opening term, and while the Dogs could manage 3 of their own, they still faced a 19 point deficit at the first change.
The second quarter was almost a carbon copy of the first. The Nomads continued to pile on the pressure up front, with Jed Ellis-Cluff again the main man in front of goal. However, the Dogs kept plugging away and refused to let the Nomads get a break, keeping the margin at 26 points at the long break.
The third quarter became a real slog for both clubs, as the goals dried up and contested footy became the order of the day. Again, the Nomads were able to inch the lead a little higher over the 25 minutes, with the margin at the final change being 33 points and the Dogs were still not without a chance of victory.
Even in defeat last week, the Nomads were strong in the final quarter, and it was no difference on Saturday. They finished the game in style, slotting 4 majors to 1 for the quarter to run out 54 point winners and got themselves back in the winners circle.
Ellis-Cluff was again superb, with 6 goals in a best on field performance. Zac Economou was strong down back and Tim Snelling was also prominent for the winners. For the Dogs, Russell Maddinson and Scott Hardy were the main goal kickers with 2 each, with Michael Kennedy, Andrew Pratt and Maddinson their best.
Last Modified on 03/07/2013 08:46