Match One: New England Nomads 16.18.114 def Inverell Saints 8.13.61 at Bellevue Oval
The Nomads have reaffirmed their favouritism for the 2013 TAFL Premiership with a commanding 53 point win over the Saints on Saturday. The Nomads led from start to finish to hand the Saints their third loss of the season and keeps the Nomads a game clear on top of the ladder.
The match started with the usual intensity these two clubs bring to the “local” derby. The Saints kicked the first of the contest, but the Nomads answered with interest and controlled much of the contest for the quarter. They were wasteful in front of the big sticks, and it was the only thing keeping the Saints in the match during the first stanza. The 19 point margin flattered the Saints at the first change and they desperately needed to find a way back into the contest.
The match tempo slowed during the second quarter with both clubs clamping down in defence. The Nomads were again wasting their chances on goal and were unable to put the Saints truly to the sword when they had the chance to do so. However, the Saints were also guilty of missing their own chances and saw their deficit climb to 27 points at the long change.
Needing to lift, the Saints came out firing in the third and kicked the opening goal of the stanza to give them some hope. However, the Nomads showed why they are top of the league and took control of the contest and finally kicked straight to extend their lead out to 37 points at the last break.
The last quarter saw the Nomads continue their dominance across the ground with the sting out of the game. They managed another 4 goals to finish the match and ran out convincing 53 point winners.
Jed Ellis-Cluff was again dangerous up front with 5 majors while Weston Whitby finished with 4. Riley Connor, Daniel Davies and Charlie Bender were their best. For the Saints, Lachlan McDonald, Mike Gould and Hayden Chappel were their multiple goal kickers with two each, with Chappel, Sam Kimmince and Mitch Black their best in a losing effort.
Match Two: Tamworth Kangaroos 20.13.133 def Tamworth Swans 11.11.77 at Number One Oval
The final instalment of the Bill Holder Cup in 2013 went the way of the Roos as they accounted for their cross-town rivals by 56 points on Saturday afternoon. The win was the third for the season for the Roos over the Swans and continues a 3 year winning streak in the local derby.
The match started in typical fashion for these clubs with competition for the ball fierce in the early contests. Both teams were somewhat wasteful in front of goal early, but it was the Roos that took the upper hand late in the quarter with some excellent work in the forward line. They held onto a 2 goal lead at the first break, but knew they were in for a fight.
The second quarter saw the match open right up with the Swans enjoying more than their fair share of possession and attacking forays. They managed 5 goals to the Roos six for the stanza, and while the margin was extended out to 17 points, the match was far from over at the long break.
Perhaps sensing his team were taking the clash a little casual, Brett Douglas gave his troops a fair rev up at the break and his troops responded with a crushing 7 goal to one quarter to finally put the result beyond doubt. They extended the margin beyond 50 points with a quarter to go and were travelling like the form side of the competition.
With the result all but gone, the Roos again showed a little complacency in the final 25 minutes, which the Swans took full advantage of. Both sides kicked 3 goals for the quarter, with the Swans showing they are not that far away from their first win of 2013. The final margin of 56 points did little to show the hard work of the Swans veterans, but they can be confident in their performances in recent weeks.
Matt Hodge was again outstanding up front with 7 goals, ably supported by Zeb Taylor with 4 majors. Hodge was amongst their best, with Luke Robinson and Dan Johnston also strong. Josh McKenzie produced a sparkling cameo up forward with 7 goals of his own as the Swans best a field, with Josh McRae and Sam Shelton also good.
Match Three: Muswellbrook Cats 14.11.95 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 11.7.73 at Werriman Field
The Cats have put one foot in the 2013 TAFL finals by beating the Dogs in Muswellbrook on Saturday afternoon. They had to work hard for the win and were challenged at every step, but the 22 point win marks their most successful season since 2007 and gives them some breathing space in the race for fourth spot.
The Cats hit the ground running in this contest and quickly put a gap on the Dogs. They kicked 5 first quarter goals and looked dangerous in attack right from the outset. The Dogs were able to reply with 2 of their own, but they faced an 18 point deficit at the first change.
The second quarter was much the same as the first as the Cats controlled large parts of the play with the Dogs unable to stop the running game of the home side. Again, the Cats were strong up front and kicked another 4 goals for the quarter, while the Dogs could manage only one for the stanza. The lead was out to 39 points at the long change with the Cats looking strong with 50 minutes to go.
The third quarter became a real struggle for both clubs as the Dogs desperately tried to find a way back into the game. They managed to stifle the Cats in defence and started to look more dangerous up front as they fought their way back into the clash. The margin was still 40 points at the last change, but the Dogs had a sniff of a big comeback.
With so much to play for in the last 25 minutes, the Dogs came rattling back into the contest on the back of a 5 goal last quarter to get within striking distance of the Cats with time still on the clock. However, the home team steadied and sealed the match right on the bell to put themselves in position A for fourth spot on the TAFL ladder come season end.
Ken Garland continued his fine form in front of goal this season with 7 majors. He was amongst their best, with John Mahy and Jackson Bower also prominent. Matthew Wynkiet was also a focal point up front with 7 goals of his own for the Dogs. He was their best, with Andrew Pratt and James Mack also having strong games.
Last Modified on 16/07/2013 19:14