After last weekend, the local eight legged oracle that predicted a Nomads victory has been converted to calamari. Undettered, here is the drum on the matches for this saturday.
GAME 1: New England Nomads v Tamworth Kangaroos
The form line here is not easy to read. The Nomads looked the goods to me in the past month but their effort against Inverell last weekend was disappointing. Having said that, their first quarter effort was good and they are not the first to struggle to sustain that for one hundred minutes against the Saints this year. I am tempted to keep the faith with them in this. One the other side of the coin, the Kangaroos were ruthless against the Eagles last week. Their first quarter set them up for the day and that form reads well for this one, but I have my suspicions that the quarter time score may have taken the wind out of the depleted Eagles and inflated the end result. Both teams have run and should make use of the expanse that is Bellevue Oval and a very good game of footy is probably the safest prediction. The Kangaroos have managed well in Col Daye's absence and while it's not as simple as No Whitby, No Nomads, the loss of one of the most exciting players in the League just has to hurt the home team in this.
THE DRUM: Kangaroos by three goals.
GAME 2: Tamworth Swans v Inverell Saints
The Saints have more or less demolished all before them in the last six or so weeks and will be the logical favourites in this. Their last trip to Tamworth was the one time they have tasted defeat this year, and no doubt Nick Baird will have his side primed with their eyes on securing the minor premiership. The Swans were reportedly pretty impressive in patches last week against Muswellbrook, which has not been as easy this year as scores have indicated and might be a sign they are warming to their task heading towards the finals. The last match between these two teams is no indication for this with the Swans fielding their weakest lineup in living memory. They will be much better equipped into this and playing at home will likely see them bolstered further again. Their newfound forward dynamo will take them a long way towards victory, but the Saints pack guns right across the park and they have a history of being harder to stop than an avalanche once they get a roll on. I am not convinced they will be beaten again this season and while it won't be easy, I don't think it will be in this match.
THE DRUM: Saints by four goals.
GAME 3: Gunnedah Bulldogs v Narrabri Eagles
The battle of the west is an intriguing match, with the Bulldogs having disappointed so far this year and the Eagles the surprise packet of the League. At their best I don't think much seperates these teams, but the Eagles effort last week shows them vulnerable to any significant outs. The Bulldogs rose to the occasion two weeks ago in Tamworth and reportedly nearly stole the match from the Swans, so they will have every reason to be confident in this. No doubt they will be looking to maintain local pride against their western neighbours, who will be equally keen to secure another big name scalp. Both midfields work hard and the engine room will probably decide this. The Dogs midfield has a twinkle of class in Brown and George, and if they win enough of the ball the Dogs forwards will run rampant. The Eagles are game, personified by the indefatigable Shawcross, and will not shirk the issue, but I think the Dogs will likely kick a big score here and I am not sure the Eagles will match it.
THE DRUM: Bulldogs by six goals.
Last Modified on 14/07/2010 07:45