In Armidale the New England Nomads has their backs against the wall if they want to make the finals. This is when they are at their most dangerous, just ask the undermanned Kangaroos. The Kangaroos jumped the Nomads in the first quarter and took a handy 16 point lead into the first break. This however would be the last time the Kangaroos would lead at a break. After some stirring words from Coach Meehan the Nomads took control of the second quarter kicking 7 goals and restricting the Kangaroos to just 1 goal. This game the Nomads a 15 point lead at half time and their tails well and truly in the air. In the third quarter the Nomads continued putting the pressure on the Kangaroos, kicking 4 goals for the quarter. But they didn't have it all their own way, as a refocused Kangaroo outfit battled on kicking 3 goals. So the Nomads lead at three quarter time was 22 points. The last quarter was set up for an epic finish between these two clubs but the Nomads again outscored the Kangaroos 5 goals to 4 goals to eventually run away winners by 27 points. For the Nomads Captain Matty Maxwell played well kicking 4 goals and our globetrotting CETAFL President Adrian Walsh kicked 3 goals with a cameo appearance by Rich Malone, on match permits, named their best player. On a tough day for the Kangaroos young Ash Cruickshank kicked 4 goals and Captain Tim Cotter was named their best player.
At the Cattery everything went as expected with the rebounding Swans big winners over the Cats. This game has possibly been the Cats best game all year. It is definitely their highest scoring game so far. The first quarter had the Cats defending but doing it well keeping the Swans to 5 goals and getting 1 goal themselves and down by 28 points at quarter time. In the Second quarter the Swans again kicked 5 goals but this time the Cats kicked 2 goals to go in at half time down by 49 points. The third quarter is where it got ugly for the Cats as the Swans took total control of the game kicking 6 goal 7 behinds to the Cats 1 goal 1 behind. Had the Swans kicked straighter in this quarter then they would have set a bigger percentage boosting win for the last quarter. The Swans were up by 85 points at three quarter time. In the last quarter the Cats showed that they will always be trying right to the end by having their most productive quarter in the game. They kicked 3 goal 3 behinds but the Swans were just too good and backed off a little in the last quarter to win by 102 points. The Cats stalwart up forward Stuart McAdam was their main avenue to goal Kicking 4 goals and Ken Garland was their best player. For the Swans Simon Freer kicked 6 goals and was named their best player.
Down at the Kennel the Bulldogs and the Saints have had some tight tussles in recent years and this year was no different. The Saints started the game well in the first quarter, but their old problem of kicking straight in front of goals their nemesis again kicking 7 behinds for the quarter. Still they would have been happy with a 23 point lead at half time. The Second quarter saw the Saints straighten up their radar kicking 4 goal 2 behinds to the Bulldogs 3 goal 2 behinds to go into the long break with 29 point lead. The Saints would have been feeling very confident at half time that they were well on the way to breaking the hoodoo hold that the Bulldogs have over the rest of the competition at the Kennel. Bulldogs Coach Dave Chapman though had other ideas and gave his team the confidence at half time to get back into the game. It worked as the bulldogs came out snarling at everything in the third quarter and the Saints found a Bulldog snapping at their heels every time they got the ball. The Saints wayward kicking returned, while the Bulldogs were straighter and they clawed the Saints lead back to just 18 points at three quarter time. With their tails up the Bulldogs ran over the Saints in the last quarter kicking 3 goal while keeping the Saints goalless. Shaun Higgins continued his good form for the Bulldogs kicking 4 goals and Adam Waugh was named their best player. For the Saints Mick Viney kicked 4 goals as did Beau Ryan who was also named the Saints best player.
Last Modified on 05/07/2009 11:04