Game 1: Inverell Saints v Muswellbrook Cats
The first match looks to be one of the year's easiest tips. The Saints may have failed to field a team for their two preseason matches, but The Drum would be very surprised if they conceded this week. One may wonder, though, whether they are a run or two short of a gallop right now. The Cats, on the other hand, had a good hit-out leading in against the Singleton Roosters, and from the start of the new season with Bryce O'Connor at the wheel will look to make a statement against the defending Premiers. The long trip is always an issue between these two, but a full strength Cats will have the potential to test where the Saints are early on. I expect the Cats to get a jump on the Saints at the start of the match, but the experience of the Saints will get them over the line.
The Drum: Saints by eight goals.
Game 2: Narrabri Eagles v New England Nomads
The Drum is finding it hard to get a line on the Eagles, with their win over the Bulldogs looking good until the Dogs turned out the next week against the Roos. There is mail that the form from the first week will hold stronger than the next suggests. They have come a long way in short space of time with Phil Dennis, and the unique 'oval' at Narrabri will become a graveyard once they truly learn to ply their craft there. With a long trip in front of them and on the back of an Easter break, The Drum will be curious to see what sort of team the Nomads take down the hills and across the plains. With his heart on his drumstick, The Drum has been banging the praises of the students from the outset this year, and will keep in that rhythm until they give him a reason otherwise. The Drum is not expecting to see that here, no matter how improved and brave them Eagles may be.
The Drum: Nomads by five goals.
Game 3: Tamworth Swans v Gunnedah Bulldogs
With both teams coming off big losses to the Tamworth Kangaroos this match may be a case of who doesn't play the worst. The Swans would have been very disappointed with their effort against the Roos, and the Dogs went 0-2 in the pre-season under new coach Peter Chapman. These two are likely to be in a three-way go with the Eagles for fourth and fifth spots in August, so this match is an early eight-pointer. With both teams' exposed form, it may simply be the team that treats the contest like a season opening semi-final first that comes out on top. As for a tip, for this one The Drum's logic will opt for the one beaten six lengths by Black Caviar last start over the one beaten twelve.
The Drum: Swans by a layer of down.
Last Modified on 26/04/2011 21:39