Match One: New England Nomads v Gunnedah Bulldogs at Bellevue Oval Saturday 2pm
The first match of the weekend sees the league leading Nomads host the 5th place Bulldogs in a game that has huge ramifications for both clubs. The Nomads still cannot let slip the 4 points with the Saints and Roos waiting to pounce whilst the Dogs need to win to keep their finals chances alive. Whilst they will still have a mathematical chance of making the post season, a loss this weekend all but rules them out for finals footy.
The Nomads come into the clash on the back of a great win in Muswellbrook last week. They made the trip south with a vastly different team than the one that faced the Saints a week earlier but got the job done in the first half and were able to cruise to victory. They have shown this season the ability to put teams away when they need to and this is a trait Tom Granleese has instilled into this group over the past two seasons. A win here all but locks up the Minor Premiership and that should be motivation enough.
The Dogs have struggled after a blistering start to the season. They were 2 and 1 after three rounds and were cruising but injuries and player shortage have severly hampened their season. They still have half a chance of playing finals footy but a win this weekend is crucial. It will be a tough ask but not beyond this side to upset the Nomads. They'll need a massive effort from their group of elite players but if they are still in the hunt with a quarter to go, their desperation may just get them over the line.
It's akin to a Grand Final for the Dogs and if the Nomads come into this clash presuming the 4 points are in the bag they could get caught napping. The home side will be desperate for that home semi final and won't want to give up the chance here.
TAFL Tipster - Nomads by 32 points
Match Two: Inverell Saints v Tamworth Swans at Varley Oval Saturday 2pm
The Saints and Swans do battle on Saturday afternoon in another clash with different consequences for both sides. The Saints bounced back last weekend with a good win over the Roos and home and now it's the other Tamworth crew that make the trip north looking for the win. The Swans have gone so close to securing that elusive first win of the season and deserve better than their record reflects. A win in the Sapphire City would certainly be a big boost to the side and keep alive their slim finals hopes.
The Saints finally produced the game Jason Gobbert has been asking for all season last weekend. It was the first time they defeated a a top 2 side this season and gives them some confidence moving towards the finals series. They ned to maintain that momemtum over the next three weeks, and are now in the prime position to secure second spot and that all important double chance in the finals.
The Swans have been desperately unlucky this season, and not just on the field. They were washed out for the thrid time this season last weekend, and will potentially face a busy last 3 weeks of the season in an attempt to catrch up those games. Their form suggests they are little chance this weekend, but have troubled the Saints in recent season with their ferocious attack on the Sherrin. A big start here could catch the home side napping and they have the ability to spring one of the bigger upsets of the season.
With so much riding on this match as well, both clubs will be keen to come out hard to gain upper hand. Whichever team settles the best following the initial contest will be the winner.
TAFL Tipster - At home, the Saints by 40 points
Match Three: Muswellbrook Cats v Tamworth Kangaroos at Werriman Field Saturday 2pm
The final match of the weekend sees the second placed Roos heading south to tackle the 4th placed Cats in yet another match where the stakes are high heading towards finals footy. The Roos cannot afford another loss on the season if they want the double chance in the finals, whilst a win here for the Roos will all but wrap up fourth spot and their place in the post season.
The Cats head into battle following a loss at the hands of the Nomads last week. They were blown away in the first half of that match and produced a better effort in the second half to restrict the damage. As has been mentioned here over the past few weeks, they desperately need to make the step up from finals aspirant to being competitve with top 3 teams. They will not get a better chance of doing that against the Roos this weekend.
The Roos hit the road for the second straight week and head south this time. They were right in the contest at Inverell a week ago before being blown away by a blistering third quarter by the Saints. They fought back hard in the closing stages and have a chance to this weekend to put that loss behind them. They recorded a good win in wet conditions a month ago in Muswellbrook and another win here gets them back on track for second spot.
With a recent clash in Muswellbrook still fresh in the minds of both clubs, it will be the side that adapts best here that will take the four points. Both coaches are astute operators and will have their troops firing for this crucial clash.
TAFL Tipster - The Roos, just, by 8 points
Last Modified on 25/07/2013 09:40