MAJOR SEMI-FINAL: Inverell Saints v Tamworth Kangaroos
Both teams are reported to be a full strength, but an injury cloud persists over dual Griffiths medal winner Mick Viney for the Saints. Big Mick is the surest avenue to goal in these parts and if he is absent he will be missed. The Saints are not short on goal scorers without Viney though and I expect they could cover him if he can't play. A doubt over Pay in the ruck for the Saints might see both teams short of a genuine ruck option, but both have outstanding midfields and the battle at the clearances will be a hot one. Corey Wheeler was rightly awarded the Gillies medal and he will be hard to stop in the centre for the Saints, but Tim Cotter might be the best chance in the League to shut him down. The Roos have good options up front, including Ashley Cruickshank and Dan Overeem, but Shaun Mansbridge and Jono Elphick for the Saints are amongst the best defenders in League so they will not get an easy day of it. Paul Tapper is one for the Roos who can produce here to cause headaches for the Saints. I could see Joey Kimmice going to him if he gets some touches, which should reduce that threat but takes away an attacking option for the Sainters. Dick Gleeson was on song last week inside fifty for the hosts, Chris Whitton is also playing well but Col Daye and Daniel Johnson have also been strong. It all points to this being a good close game, but the Saints are well deserved Premiership favourites. They have just one win from their last three grand finals appearances so will be burning to have the Big Show at Varley Oval again this year. At home, with near enough a full compliment, I think the Saints will be just too hungry, too strong and would love to see what they are paying to lift the Country Energy Cup on the 11th of September.
THE DRUM: Saints by six goals.
MINOR SEMI-FINAL: Tamworth Swans v New England Nomads
The big question here is just where these two teams are at. Both were flatter than a Utah salt lake last week in a game both wanted to win to have a short at third place. Both should have been keen for that, so can there be any guarentee that they will be up for this? Weston Whitby is a quiet tip to come back into the Nomads line-up which will give them a boost. Their captain Nick Shultz is suggested to be a ruck option, which will leave Anthony Reid to his best in winning the ball elsewhere but might leave a gap in the Nomads backline. Dual Gillies medallist Damien Wendt is a big in for the Swans, and Simon Freer will bolster their forward line. The match is likely to be won in the centre, with established stars Wendt and Gavin Knee taking on the speed and talent of Hamish Pearce and Matthew Maxwell. Any can dominate on their day and if either gives their forwards the first use of the Sherrin it will carry them a long way for this. The Swans backline has looked to have the measure of the Nomads forwards in their last two clashes in Tamworth, but Nomads coach Brendan Meehan is canny and might have an ace or two up his sleeves. Clinton Ballagh will battle away in defence, but while the Swans will have a size advantage inside fifty that told the last time these two teams played, as a team they have not been prolifant goal kickers this season. I can only go on the form of the last two matches between these teams at Number One Oval, which the Swans won comprehensively, and salivate at the prospect of, at long last, a Tamworth derby in a Preliminary Final.
THE DRUM: Swans by five goals.
Last Modified on 27/08/2010 17:14