Match One: Tamworth Kangaroos v New England Nomads at Number One Oval 1pm Saturday
A huge clash to start off the weekend at Number One in the first leg of the Double Header this weekend. Both clubs are coming off a weekend away from footy but for different reasons. The Roos were decimated by injuries and absent players and could not conjure the numbers to send a team north to Inverell. That must have hurt the staunch supporters of this proud club and they will stop at nothing to get the four points here. They sit outside the top 3 for the first time in 12 months and will be keen to get the result here to lift them back to the top of the table. The Nomads also had no footy last weekend after receiving a forfeit from the Cats. Prior to that, they were the form team of the competition with wins over the Swans and Saints. A win here will go a long way to securing top spot and be a big psychological boost as we near the end of the first rotation of games.
The Roos were also playing well prior to last weekend. They had two close wins over the Dogs and Swans and were playing some hard-nosed footy for which they are renowned for. We will know by Saturday at 3pm whether or not no footy last weekend will have taken the wind out of the sails, however Brett Douglas will hope to regain some of his injured brigade for this one. They will be led by TAFL Power reps Matt Hodge, Alex Hudson and Dan Gimbert, all of whom need to counter the Nomads expansive running game. Their backline will also need to lock down on the versatile Nomad forwards, with Col Daye and Dan Johnston sure to be tested all day.
The Nomads have a wealth of talent this season and have recruited some gifted footballers. The love to run and spread and any opposition team has to aware of that pace around stoppages. They have yet to put their best 22 on the field as yet and Tom Granleese must be licking his lips in anticipation of that happening. Their midfielders have demonstrated great poise this season, delivering with deadly accuracy. The Freund brothers, Harri and Jon, are tough to bring down around the ruck and Dave Graan has emerged as the premier midfielder of the competition. If these three are let loose, the Roos will have a very long day at the office.
Recent history between these clubs leans towards a Nomads victory. They won their last two clashes late in last season, the last of which was the Preliminary Final. The Nomads seem to be going to well at the moment, and it’s pretty tough to tip against their form.
TAFL Tipster – Nomads by 25 points
Game Two: Gunnedah Bulldogs v Inverell Saints at Wolseley Oval 2pm Saturday
While the first game of the weekend will be a cracker, one could make an argument that this match is in fact the best of the round. The Dogs have proven to be tough competitors this season and will enter this clash with plenty of confidence. They had a tough hit out against the Swans last week, outlasting them in the second half. The Saints are coming from a weekend off, and their form has been a little patchy to start the season. They disposed of the Cats in Round 1, but couldn’t get over the line against an understrength Nomads team. They have had some trouble in Gunnedah in past seasons and will be very keen to keep in touch with the boys from Armidale.
The Dogs midfield engine is the driving force behind their success. Coach Scott Hardy and Captain Andrew George lead from the front and are often winning the hard ball in and under the ruck. Much of the success of the Dogs depends on the midfield getting first use and pushing forward to help the attack. Their attack was very balanced last weekend and that could well be their advantage this week to help counter the strong Saints defence. Chris Gee returned to line up for the first time this season and was a threat all match. He had a couple of good outing against the Saints last year so he could be the “X factor” the Dogs are looking for.
The Saints have a pretty strong midfield themselves and will be happy to go toe-to-toe with the Dogs through the middle. New recruit Hayden Chappel has excelled in his role in the midfield early in the season, with Hamish Bird and Russell Brien also working well out of the middle. Up front, Mike Gould was bought back to earth by the Nomads a fortnight ago and he will be keen to get on the board early in this match. That match-up will go a long way to deciding this clash, with John Woolaston a good chance to pick up that assignment. Down back, the Saints have been led by the Reid brothers; Nick, Mick and Simon. Look for them to get the defensive assignments to slow down the Dog forwards.
This match is truly a flip of the coin type proposition. The Dogs love playing at home and as mentioned above the Saints have found their fair share of trouble at Gunnedah. The Cats are the logical form line to draw through these two teams, which suggests this match will be a great battle.
TAFL Tipster – Just because of the home advantage, the Dogs to win here by 2 points
Match Three: Tamworth Swans v Muswellbrook Cats at Number One Oval 3pm Saturday
The final match of the weekend has another recent rivalry fighting for the four points. The Swans and Cats have fought out some close battles of the past few season, with the Cats earning a couple of wins in recent times. The match also sees the only two clubs yet to register a win in 2013 so both will be desperate to chalk one up and stay in touch with the top 4.
The Swans head into the clash on the back of some spirited performances. They pushed the Roos all the way in the derby a fortnight ago and were right in the battle last week against the Swans before a lack of players on the bench hurt their run. Injuries to key players is also hurting them so far this season, but the return of Damien Wendt, and the continued consistent form of veterans Josh McKenzie and Paul Hobson has seen them competitive. Their younger stars have also started to emerge, with Kyle Nicholls standing tall in the ruck and Dane Miller impressive last start. Their lack of fire power up front is a concern early in the season, with Paul Tapper finding it difficult to beat the 2 or 3 defenders he seems to be facing at every contest. If they find some different avenues to goal this weekend, they will be very tough to beat.
The Cats started off the season with some spirited play. They have had yet another of substantial player turnover, but keep unearthing young talent from the Hunter Valley. However, it has been the veterans that have stood up so far, with Ken Garland playing with youthful exuberance and Dave Howard still showing some fleet-footed moves. Young Cameron Davis has been super impressive to start the season in the ruck and the battle between him and Nicholls will be something to see. Jackson Bower continues to do his thing in the Cats midfield, and can supply the ball on a platter for the Cats forwards. Their problem could be similar to the Swans in finding some tall targets to kick them a goal, and again that could be the difference in this match.
Both teams match pretty evenly across the park. As mentioned above, the team that can make the most of their opportunities going forward will be the team that wins this clash.
TAFL Tipster – Home field advantage might play a part and so the Swans are the tip here by 10 points
Last Modified on 01/05/2013 12:13