Match One: Tamworth Swans v Gunnedah Bulldogs at Number One Oval Saturday 1pm
The first match of the weekend happens to be the first match of a Tamworth Double-Header this Saturday as the Swans play host to the Bulldogs. This match-up has traditionally been a hot contest between these two sides and this weekend’s clash promises to be just as good.
The Swans are still searching for win number one in season 2013. They have gone desperately against the Cats but were soundly beaten by the Roos before the break last start. They have showed enough to suggest their first win is not far away this season, but injuries have cruelled their chances of getting those 4 points. Hopefully the week off will have helped heal the wounds and Andrew Donohue would love to have the prospect of a full squad to choose from this Saturday.
The Dogs started this season off playing well but have struggled of late. They suffered a big blow to their playing stocks when captain Andrew George went down a month ago, and they have not put in a strong performance without their leader since. This weekend will be a big test and a much needed win about they fell to the Cats in Muswellbrook last start. That loss has put them in a log jam for fourth spot on the ladder and a win here is vital to maintain their spot in the TAFL top 4.
This match is huge for finals ramifications. The Swans need to win to keep touch with the top 4, while the Dogs would love some separation from the Cats in fourth spot. While so much of this will depend on which team can put their best 22 on the team sheet but at home the Swans have a huge shot at an upset.
TAFL Tipster – The Swans in an upset, by 1 point
Match Two – New England Nomads v Muswellbrook Cats at Bellevue Oval Saturday 2pm
The Cats will make the long trip north to face the Nomads in Armidale this Saturday in what has become an important game for both teams. For the first time in a long time, the Cats have a realistic chance of pushing for a finals berth and need to continue to put in their best effort each week to earn that spot. The Nomads have continued to steam roll all before them, but can hardly take the Cats lightly on the back of their improved performances of late.
The Nomads have come out of the break undefeated and seemingly untouchable in 2013. They wee clinical against the Saints last start and put them away with some brilliant sweeping moves from deep in defence. Run and carry has always been a strength of the young Nomad sides but Tom Granleese has added a new element of toughness to the team that makes them very hard to beat. Their new recruits are doing the business for them at the moment, but the scariest thought of all is that we are still yet to see their best 22 on the field. When that happens, it could be all over for the 2013 Premiership.
The Cats have found a new spring in their step over the past month. They were impressive at home against the Dogs last start and have shown glimpses of their best footy against the Roos and Saints. The problem they have is putting those glimpses into 100 minutes of footy. If they can do that, they will push the Nomads in this one. Their mix of youthful pace and hard nosed experience have augured well recently and another strong performance against the league standard may well start the self belief again in Cat land.
TAFL Tipster – The Nomads should be too good here, but the Cats have the chance to gain some respect. Nomads by 50 points
Match Three: Tamworth Kangaroos v Inverell Saints at Number One Oval Saturday 3pm
The final match of the weekend sees the old rivals Roos and Saints do battle in the second match of the Tamworth double header. The old combatants do battle for the first time in 2013 after the Roos were forced to forfeit their first clash earlier in the season. They last played each other late last season were the Roos were victorious in Inverell. However, much has changed over the past 9 months and this clash will see a few new faces for both sides.
The Roos have really hit their straps over the past month. New coach Brett Douglas seems to have his team playing the type of footy he would have envisaged in the pre-season and they clinically disposed of their cross-town rivals last start to retain the Bill Holder Cup. The have put together 3 good wins in a row, but now face their big tests over the next two weeks against the Saints and Nomads. A win this weekend will see them jump clearly into second spot on the ladder and they will be keen to get the front running for the second chance come finals time.
The Saints have played some excellent footy of late, interspersed with footy that is far below their best. Last week against the Nomads they had control of the game for large periods of time, however their disposal in front of goal and heading forward was far from perfect. This match is massive for their own chances to finish in the top two this season, with the earlier win by forfeit giving them the slight edge on the ladder at the moment. They don’t traditionally like the tight confines of Number One Oval, but will need to find a way to combat that dislike this Saturday.
This is always a massive game, and there’s nothing to suggest this weekend won’t be any different. At home the Roos are always tough but the Saints travel best of any team in the TAFL.
TAFL Tipster – The Roos at home, just, by 3 points
Last Modified on 11/06/2013 21:40