Match 1: Tamworth Swans 15.14.104 def New England Nomads 13.9.87
At the end of the 2011 season, both these clubs would have been disappointed with how they ended their year. The Swans finished with the TAFL Wooden Spoon whilst the Nomads lost two consecutive finals games to fall one game short of the Grand Final. So both had plenty to prove in Round 1 and would have been pumped for a big performance. The first quarter was a game a high standard, with the Nomads taking a 5 point lead into the first change. The second quarter was where the game was won, with the Swans taking charge, kicking 5 goals to the Nomads one. This opened up a 21 point half time lead and Rick Watt would have been happy with his charges at the long break. However, the Nomads weren’t done, and produced their own 5 goal quarter in the third to get the margin back to 9 points at the last change. But the Swans once again settled, and were able to hold on and record a gritty 17 point win and kick off 2012 in style. For the victors, the returning Paul Tapper kicked 3 goals, as did Jordan Sharpe. Swans captain Andrew Donahue was their best, with Ian Roberts and Gavin Knee also having strong games. For the Nomads, the twin threat of Weston Whitby and Dave Richards were dangerous up front, kicking 5 and 4 goals respectively. Young gun Tom Walsh was their best, supported by Matthew Woodward and Clinton Ballagh.
Match 2: Inverell Saints 22.22.154 def Tamworth Kangaroos 13.5.83
A Grand Final replay in Round 1 gave the Saints a chance to some revenge for last year’s result, and they took some with interest over an understrength Kangaroos. The match started at a hectic pace, with both clubs taking up the where they left off at the end of last year. The Saints controlled large parts of the early running, but were wayward going forward, hitting the post 3 times in the first quarter alone. The Roos on the other hand were clinical in front of goals and took an early lead. However late goals in the quarter saw the Saints take a one point lead into quarter time. It was much the same in the second, as the Saints were again wasteful , whilst the Roos took the lead back and looked poised to take control of the match. It took some inspired work from Russell Brien, who kicked 3 quick goals in the quarter, to get the Saints back in the contest and take a 12 point half time lead. The third quarter was always going to be pivotal, and after the Roos kicked a quick one to start the term, the Saints answered with 3 of their own to take a stranglehold on the match. Just as the Saints looked to have the game in hand, they found themselves one player down with Mitchell Hall sent off for 15 minutes, with the Roos capitalising, getting the margin back to 4 goals at the last change. Needing to hold on with a player down for the first 5 minutes of the last, the Saints kicked two early goals to all but put the contest away. They ran away with it late, booting 9 last quarter goals and ran out resounding 71 point winners. Brien capped an excellent game booting 6 goals, whilst young gun Hamish Bird and captain Chris Whitton both slotted 4 majors. Keiran Te Velde was the Saints best, with Mike Gould and Brien also having strong games. For the Roos, joint Gilles Medallist Matt Hodge kicked 4 goals, with Daniel Gimbert kicking three. Justin Hathway, Lachlan Maloney and Carl Frazier were their best.
Match 3: Muswellbrook Cats 14.14.99 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 12.11.83
The new look Bulldogs made the trip down the highway to Muswellbrook to take on last year’s big improvers, the Cats. No details have yet come to hand on this match, but the Cats prevailed in this one by 16 points. This is the first Round 1 clash the Cats have won in some time, and sets them up for a big season.
Last Modified on 09/06/2012 08:21