Game 1: New England Nomads v Gunnedah Bulldogs
The Dogs will be keen here to make amends for their loss to Muswellbrook last week. With two tough matches ahead of them, one will should secure them a home final, but that is something they won't want to leave to next week. Their kicking accuracy let them down again, but on the bright side they are getting plenty of trips into attacking territory. They will need to be accurate, though, as the Nomads forward line don't waste many chances and will not be kept silent for four quarters in this one. The Drum is not sure who to believe from the Nomads last effort, with suggestions that the match was closer than the cricket score difference suggested. If they did struggle to get on top of the Swans in the midfield, then they will want to find more this week and deeper into September. The Drum is scared of the Dogs, as they could produce anything on their day and will be the wildcard going into the finals. But away from home, and with Ross, Richards and Whitby in form, The Drum can't see the Bulldogs shutting all three down. One will kick a score to win the students this one.
The Drum: Nomads by five goals.
Game 2: Tamworth Swans v Tamworth Kangaroos
With the bye next week, the Swans will close a sad season against their arch-rivals here. There only hope is that they get up for this one like a Grand Final and find Tim Cotter's herd asleep in anticipation of an easy match. Their last encounter was a close one, with both teams a little short on cattle at that stage of the season. The Kangaroos got Hodge, Overeem and Cotter together last week in probably their strongest 22, but only just edged out the brave Saints. The Drum expected more in that effort, and doesn't know if locking in the top spot will produce a hangover for this week. If the Swans get some ins, and with local pride these clashes can produce tight results when not expected, they might go with the Roos for much of the match. But The Drum is the fourth quarter will tell and the class of the Kangaroos should see them home.
The Drum: Kangaroos by four goals.
Game 3: Inverell Saints v Narrabri Eagles
After setting the season alight, the Eagles have fallen in a heap recently. Tim Cooper's return saw them compete against the Kangaroos a fortnight ago. With him they look like they might make a show of it, but without him it doesn't seem to matter how much work Barrow and Shawcross do across the middle when they face the better sides. Coming off the bye, Phil Dennis will be looking for a big effort from his troops to resurrect their September dreams. The Saints on the other hand will be looking for a big win coming off a great effort in Tamworth last week, and may see themselves as some chance of taking the major final in the first week to Varley Oval. The Drum is that will be a bridge too far, but with Stewart Walker in form last week his aggression will be a boost to the Saints. The Drum is they are just that bit better across the park than the Eagles, and playing at Varley will give them that extra edge.
The Drum: Saints by four goals.
Last Modified on 11/08/2011 14:04