The first game Between the Kangaroos and Nomads was transferred from No.1 Oval in Tamworth, it was closed due to wet weather, to the Kennel in Gunnedah. With not much more than pride on the line, as the ladder position for these two was already set, both teams went into this game without their best teams. The Kangaroos lead from the outset kicking with the aid of a strong 4-5 goal wind. They didn't capitalize on this in the first quarter however kicking 3 goals 5 behinds, but their defence did stand up restricting the Nomads to just 1 behind. In the second quarter the Kangaroos actually kicked better into the wind kicking 7 goals 2 behinds. The Nomads improved in this quarter scorer in 3 goals 2 behinds. At half time the Kangaroos had a commanding 46 point lead. The Kangaroos again held the Nomads to just 1 behind in the third quarter while they again didn't make full use of the wind kicking 3 Goals 7 behinds to take a 70 point lead into the last quarter. In the last quarter the Nomads strang to life as the Kangaroos took their foot off the pedal. The Nomads Kicked 5 goals to the Kangaroos 3 goals. The final margin was a win to the Kangaroos by 56 points. The Kangaroos best player was Col Daye and their main goal kicker was Mitch Douglas with 6 goals. For the Nomads Jono Frost was their leading goal kicker with 2 goals and their best player was Hamish Pearce.
Out west the Narrabri Eagles hosted the Muswellbrook Cats. The Eagles had plenty to play for in this game as a win would put them in contention to get a home final. The first quarter was a tight affair with the Eagles kicking 4 goals to the Cats 3 goals to lead by 8 points at the first break. The second quarter was just as tight however this time it was the Cats leading the way kicking 4 goals to the Eagles 2 goals to give them the lead by 4 points at the main break and the possibility of an upset on the cards. The third quarter was where the Eagles took control of the game and shut out the Cats kicking 8 goals and keeping the Cats scoreless to take a 45 point lead into the last quarter. The last quarter was almost even with the Eagles kicking 3 goals 6 behinds to the Cats 3 goals 4 behinds to win by 47 points. The Cats have had a good season as they have got themselves off the bottom of the ladder and are moving in the right direction for the future. The Eagles best player was Andrew Irvine and Tim Cooper kicked 9 goals. The Cats Stuart McAdam kicked 5 goals and their best player was Scott Bailey.
In the second game at the Kennel the Bulldogs took on the Inverell Saints. The wind continued in this game and the Saints had first use of it. They started the game well with Coach Nick Baird kicking the first goal within the first minute. As was the case in the first game the Saints did not take full advantage of the wind kicking 4 goals 4 behinds to the Bulldogs 1 goal 2 behinds to have a 20 point lead at the first break. The Bulldogs bit back in the secons quarter with the wind kicking 5 goals 5 behinds and held the Saints to 2 goals 2 behinds giving them the lead by 1 point at half time and the confidence that they can run with the big guns. The Saints took control of the game in the third quarter and could have put themselves further in front kicking with the wind if they were more accurate than their 6 goals 5 behinds. But their defence was working well holding the Bulldogs to 1 goal 1 behind giving them a 33 point lead at the last break. The last quarter was a tough affair with both defences under pressure. The Bulldogs did the better though kicking 3 goals straight to the Saints 1 goal 1 behind. This meant the Saints won by 22 points. For the Saints their leading goal kicker with 5 goals was Jason Gobbert in a 1 game cameo and their best player was Justin Pay. The Bulldogs best player was Paul Brown and their leading goal kicker was again Chris Gee with 4 goals.
Next week see the first week of the finals with the Nomads v Saints in Armidale in the Qualifying Final and the Eagles v the Bulldogs in Narrabri in the Elimination Final. The Kangaroos get a week off for finishing as minor premiers. For the Muswellbrook Cats and the Tamworth Swans their seasons are now over.
Last Modified on 21/08/2011 09:59