Match One: Inverell Saints 11.15.81 def Tamworth Kangaroos 8.8.56 at Varley Oval
The race for second spot on the TAFL ladder is well and truly back on with the Saints recording a handy 25 point win over the Roos in Inverell on Saturday afternoon. The Saints fought back from a slow start to hand the Roos their first loss since Round 3 and puts them right back in with a chance of getting the double chance come finals time.
The two teams were treated to a soggy day in Inverell following an inch of rain over night, however the outfield held up well at Varley Oval. The same could not be said for the cricket pitch, which resembled a swimming pool, however, the ground held up well considering the precipitation. The Roos made first use of the breeze in the opening quarter and capitalised with a strong first 25 minutes. They opened up a two goal break at the first change, which could have been bigger had a goal right on the siren been allowed.
The Saints needed to fight back in the second stanza or risk giving up a winning lead for the second straight week, and that they did with a better effort in the second. They slowed the Roos forward line, who had been on fire early, and pushed themselves forward with renewed vigour. The margin was back to 2 points at the long change, with the game well and truly in the balance.
They don’t call it the Premiership quarter for nothing, and the Saints made their move in the pivotal third stanza. Inspired by some work by Chris Whitton in the forward line, the Saints piled on 5 goals to one for the quarter to give themselves a handy 24 point buffer with a quarter to go.
With the match still in the balance, the first 10 minutes of the last quarter was always going to be vital, and it was the Saints that continued to pile on the pressure. They kicked the first three of the period to put the result to bed, before the Roos kicked a couple late to add some respectability to the scoreline. The final margin of 25 points saw the Saints close the gap to one win in the race for second, with the teams due to meet again in a month’s time to determine second spot on the ladder.
Whitton was back to his best for the Saints with 5 goals in a best on ground performance. Toby Tollis and Mike Gould were the other multiple goal kickers with 2 each. Whitton, Ben Lee and Hamish Bird were the best for the Saints. For the Roos, Matt Hodge threatened to tear the game apart early, and finished with 5 goals himself as the only multiple Roo goal kicker. He was their best, with Luke Robinson and Dean Hoy also good.
Match Two: New England Nomads 11.23.89 def Muswellbrook Cats 3.6.24 at Werriman Field
The league leading Nomads made the long trip south to battle the Cats at another rain soaked venue on Saturday afternoon. This match up always presents the students with a challenge to front up following the long trip, however the boys from Armidale proved there will be no slacking off this season to record a 65 point win over the fourth placed Cats.
On a weekend such as this one, it is always important to get a good start with a fresh footy and the Nomads did exactly that in opening up a commanding lead in the first quarter. Although they were wasteful in front of goal, they managed 5 goals for the stanza to open up a 29 point lead at the first change and had all the running of the early proceedings.
Perhaps sensing his troops had a chance to put the result to bed early, Tom Granleese urged his men forward during the quarter time huddle. The students didn’t disappoint, adding another three goals to the Cats one for the period to increase the lead to 42 points at the long change.
The Cats needed to respond in the third and managed to slow the run and carry of the Nomads for much of the second half. As holding onto the pill became progressively harder, the Cats put their bodies on the line and were rewarded with a much improved effort in the second 50 minutes. They managed to restrict the Nomads to just 3 goals in the second half and showed they have the ability to lock down on teams when needed in defence. They can take some confidence from that effort after half time as they strive for their first finals appearance in 6 years.
The final margin stood at 65 points, with both camps reasonably happy with the result. The Nomads got the 4 points they needed to maintain their break on top of the ladder, while the Cats got the self belief they need as the season comes to a close.
For the Nomads, James Boatfield was the main avenue to goal with 4 majors, with Tim Snelling, Benji Julien and Dave Graan their best. For the Cats, they had no multiple goal kickers, with Adam Griffiths, John Mahy and Brian Martin their best.
Match Three: Gunnedah Bulldogs v Tamworth Swans washed out
Unfortunately, the final match of the weekend could not go ahead due to the state of Wolseley Oval.
Last Modified on 23/07/2013 12:47