In the preliminary rounds the 2 stand out teams were the Sawtell Saints and the Gunnedah Bulldogs, with neither losing a game. Of the other teams, the Inverell Saints and the New England Nomads both won one game and lost one game and Nambucca Valley Lions and Tamworth Swans failed to win a game.
Each club from the TAFL was missing several players due to other commitments, however, this gave the clubs the chance to give new players a run and see how they go in a game environment. The clubs reported that they were impressed with their new recruits, with the stand out being the Nomadsâ new 203cm ruckman, Omphile Temoso, from Botswana. AFL is truly becoming an international game.
The grand final between Sawtell and Gunnedah was the highlight of the competition, with the Bulldogs killing Sawtell at the centre ball ups, racking up 9 centre breaks to Sawtellâs 4. Gunnedah opened the scoring with a goal and a behind before Sawtell could get a goal back. But this is when Sawtellâs fitness first started showing itself; they then got the next 2 goals with their general around the ground game plan. The
Bulldogs did hit back with another goal and behind before Sawtell finished the half with another 2 goals. Half time scores Sawtell 5-2-32 Gunnedah 2-3-15.
The second half saw Gunnedah continue to dominate out of the centre but Sawtellâs superior fitness and complete accuracy in front of goal, they kicked 4 straight goals, proved too much in the end for a gallant Gunnedah team. Although they were kept goalless in the second half there is a lot to like about the Bulldogs this year with some of their new recruits showing lots of promise and their game plan proving it should
make it a force in the TAFL this year. The Sawtell Saints are the reigning AFL North Coast Premiers and look like they are well on the way to defending their title. Final Score Sawtell 9-2-56 Gunnedah 2-5-17.
The Nomadsâ President, Ben Page, was disappointed the Nomads couldnât defend their title this year but said that they are in a rebuilding year this year after losing about 6 of their starting players from last year. Page also said that the Nomads were very pleased with this yearâs Tablelands Cup and thanked the teams that participated.
To finish the day off Page announced that the player voted best and fairest on the day, by the umpires, was Gunnedah Bulldog, Josh Hack. Well done, Josh, and welcome back to the Bulldogs.
Last Modified on 24/04/2009 23:07