Match One: Tamworth Kangaroos 21.17.143 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 12.9.81 at Number One Oval
The Kangaroos have put themselves back in the running for the Minor Premiership with a convincing win over the improving Bulldogs on Saturday. The Roos set up their win with a dominant first quarter, jumping out of the blocks and opening up a 20-point first quarter lead. The Dogs threatened to get back into the contest during the second, kicking some early goals and gave themselves a chance to pull level. However, the classy Roos outfit responded, and managed to increase their lead into the long change with a 32 point buffer at the half. Coach Tim Cotter would have been reminding his men of their lacklustre second half a week ago, and his troops responded, piling on another 6 goals for the third quarter to all but put the game to bed. A last quarter fightback was not enough for the Dogs, as they fell by 62 points and found themselves back in a battle for fourth spot on the ladder. The win sees the Roos remain in third, but now just percentage keeps them from second and are just a win back from top spot on the ladder. For the victors, Matthew Hodge had an absolute day out, kicking 12 goals in a dominant display. Young guns Daniel Gimbert, Lachlan Maloney and Brock Quinn were their best. For the Dogs, Matthew Wykinet slotted 6 majors in a strong performance, with John Woolaston and Chris Hayden also strong. The Roos will now have a week off, while the Dogs will be looking to replicate their win last week when they again host the Nomads.
Match Two: Inverell Saints 19.20.134 def New England Nomads 5.9.39 at Varley Oval
The top of the table clash failed to live up to it’s billing on Saturday, with the Saints dominating the travel weary Nomads to record a convincing 95-point victory. The Nomads could not match the intensity of the home side around the contest and were constantly shut down on the switch by a disciplined Saints outfit. The first 15 minutes of this clash indicating the match could be another hard fought battle, with neither club giving an inch in the early contests. However, a late 3-goal burst from Inverell pushed the margin at the first change out to 26 points and gave them all the running. The Nomads had the benefit of a swirling breeze in the second quarter, but could not capitalise on their early forays forward. The match slowed and became a battle between the 50m arcs, before the Saints again piled on three quick goals, the only for wither side in the quarter, and pushed the margin out to 46 points at the long change. The Saints started the third wasteful in front of goal, and when the Nomads goaled first, there was a hint of a comeback on the cards. But goals to the Saints veterans Dick Gleeson and Jason Gobbert steadied the ship, and the Saints kicked 6 goals on the trot to finish the quarter and put the game to bed. The last quarter saw both teams going through the motions, as the Nomads showed the fatigue of their 6 weeks on the road, with their normally pristine skills lacking some finishing touch. At the final siren, the Saints held the 95 point lead and gained some revenge for their loss in Round 5. For the victors, Gleeson finished with 4 majors, while Coach Gobbert kicked 3 in a balanced effort from the Saints attack. Tom Williams was instrumental in the middle in a best on ground performance, with Nick Reid and Russell Brien also strong. For the Noamds, Dave Richards was their only multiple goalkicker with two, with Riley Connor, Zac Economou and Jon Fruend their best. The Saints now have the weekend off for the bye, while the Nomads will travel back to Gunnedah to meet the Dogs for the second time in three weeks.
Match Three: Muswellbrook Cats 14.13.97 def Tamworth Swans 12.14.86 at Number One Oval
The Swans once again hosted the twilight game at Number One, and once again were beaten in a closely fought battle, this time to the Cats. It was tough going early, as neither team were able to make a big impact on the scoreboard early. Both were wasteful in front of goals, and could only manage 1 major each for the term, with Swans clinging onto a one point first quarter lead. In the second stanza the game opened right up, with attack finally getting on top of the defense and saw the Cats take a one goal lead into the long change. The third quarter was set up for the winner of this clash, and the Cats were the team that took advantage, kicking 5 goals to 4 for the quarter and increased their lead to 13 points at the final change. A pulsating last 25 minutes followed, with the Swans challenging only to be parried by the Cats at every turn. Each side managed 3 goals for the final term, with the Cats holding on to a gritty 13 point victory and keeping their chances alive for a finals berth. For the Cats, Kenneth Garland finished with 5 goals in a strong performance, with Beau Dixon kicking four. They were both in the best, with Leonard Craft also strong. Paul Tapper and Gavin Knee each kicked 3 goals of the Swans, with the veterans Knee, Andrew Donohue and Dean Finlay the best for the boys from Tamworth. Both clubs will now enjoy a week off, with the Cats sitting in fifth and only percentage out of fourth. The Swans sit sixth, and are not out of finals contention yet, but must win at least 3 of their last 5 games to be a chance of playing in the Semis this year.
Last Modified on 01/10/2012 10:22