Match One: New England Nomads v Inverell Saints at Bellevue Oval Saturday 2pm
The first of the weekend’s matches pits the front running Nomads against the third place Saints in a match of monumental implications. The Saints need a win to be any chance of the minor premiership, while a loss will all but confine them to third place come the post season. The Nomads are also needing to win, with a loss putting them right back in the firing line of the chasing pack.
The Nomads continued on last week with a clinical disposal of the Swans. They have had just the one slip up for the season so far, but the nature of the 2013 season means another loss to will see a three way tie on top of the TAFL ladder, They have the wood over the Saints in recent times, winning 4 of their last 5 clashes including tice so far this season.
The Saints handled the Cats easily a week ago and enter this clash suffering defeat this season only to the Nomads so far this season. The last time they clashed they were wasteful in front of goal and can take some confidence from that performance. However, they know that being wasteful in Armidale will almost certainly mean they cannot win on Saturday afternoon.
The Nomads have stuttered a little over the uni holiday break but will be looking to regain some key performers this weekend as the break comes to an end. At their best, the Saints have the ability to pull off a win here, but need to be better than they showed when these teams met last.
TAFL Tipster – Not sure the Saints are travelling well enough to win this, so the Nomads by 3 goals
Match Two: Tamworth Swans v Tamworth Kangaroos at Number One Oval Saturday 2pm
The third clash of the local rivals on Saturday is the third leg of the 2013 Bill Holder Cup. The Cup already resides in the Roos trophy cabinet following two wins earlier in the season and the Rooboys will be keen to get the clean sweep over their rivals this weekend.
The Swans are still searching for win number one this season and nothing brings out the big game performers more than a clash with the Roos. They were competitive for a half of footy against the Nomads last weekend and have been there or there abouts in many of their clashes in recent weeks. Way back in Round 2 they had a good chance of a win before being run down by the Roos, but their performance last week suggested that was no fluke.
The Roos have quietly become the form team of the TAFL. They have not been beaten since Round 5 and have been the only team to beat the Nomads this season. Their young gun have risen to the challenge set to them by Brett Douglas, but it’s been their experience heads that have guided them over the line. Another win here will complete the fourth straight season of clean sweeps over the Swans.
If there’s any game that the Swans want to win, it’s this one. They will be well pumped up for the clash and have the chance to pull of a big upset. The Roos will not want to give up the chase for top spot, and need to win this one.
TAFL Tipster – The Roos are travelling too well and will win by 5 goals
Match Three; Muswellbrook Cats v Gunnedah Bulldogs at Werriman Field Saturday 2pm
The final match of the weekend is arguably the most important in the make up of the 2013 TAFL season. The Cats and Dogs are literally battling for sole ownership of fourth spot this weekend and a win to either club puts them in the pole position to take the last spot in the finals. The season record stands at one win a piece for these clubs and both are desperate to sneak into the finals.
The Cats have played some brilliant footy in 2013 and they would be satisfied with what they have achieved so far this season. However, it will all count for nought if they cannot get themselves back into the finals for the first time since 2007. That year, they finished second before being bundled out in the Prelim, and the finals are beckoning for this young side again this season.
The Dogs started this season off playing great footy and pushed the Roos in Tamworth before a couple of wins over the Cats and Swans. They suffered a huge blow in losing captain Andrew George in Round 5 and they haven’t been able to settle the ship since that day. They will give themselves a big chance of winning this weekend and need to in order to continue their run of consecutive finals appearances
The clashes between these clubs in recent history have been close and physical. There’s nothing to suggest this game will be any different. It will be an absolute cracker with everything to play for.
TAFL Tipster – At home, got to go with the Cats, winning by 2 goals
Last Modified on 11/07/2013 19:42