Game 1 is out west in the Narrabri Eagles nest against the never say die Gunnedah Bulldogs. The last time these two did battle was at the Kennel in Gunnedah with the Eagles cutting lose in the third quarter kicking 8 goals to 3 goals and handing the Bullies their biggest defeat of the year, 40 points. This time round it will be a whole different story with the Bullies confidence sky high and the Eagles coming off a 103 point shellacking at the hands of the Nomads. A week is a long time in footy, as the saying goes, and the Eagles team that takes the field this week will be a completely different team, confidence wise, than last week’s team. The Eagles are desperate to finish in the top 3 and get the double chance as well as a home final, so they will be up and about for sure. The Bullies have been gallant all year and are right in this game. They ground out the win last week at the Kennel against the Swans and where a sneaky chance a week earlier against the Saints in Inverell. Both teams have good big men in Sam Naismith, Bulldogs, and Dan Hughes, Eagles, and will look to use their height both in the ruck and down forward on the short ground. The Eagles will have a slight advantage when Hughes is forward in that if he doesn't take the mark and can bring it to ground and then Tim Cooper should be able to swoop on it and convert for them.
Prediction: Because I think last week was a glitch and nothing more for the Eagles I think they will get over the Bulldogs by 13 points.
Game 2 will be at No.1 Oval in Tamworth between the Tamworth Kangaroos and the Muswellbrook Cats. The Cats have taken giant strides this year in resurrecting their club but this is a big ask of them. If the Kangaroos win here they go back to the top of the ladder with a 4 point break over the Nomads. Down at the Cattery last time the Kangaroos got their season off to a flying start with a 58 point win and they should win again. Kangaroo Coach, Tim Cotter, was injured 2 weeks against the Nomads so last week’s bye couldn't have come at a better time for him. Hopefully he will be back up and running this week and that will give the Cats another player they have to cover. Disappointingly for the Cats they look to be losing 3 players in late season clearances that will hurt them. Considering they gave the Bulldogs a scare 3 weeks ago and put in 2 solid games against the Eagles and the Saints at home losing those 3 players is the last thing they need.
Prediction: The Kangaroos will just be too good for the Cats on this occasion by 63 points.
The last game is at Varley Oval in Inverell. The Saints have been waiting for this chance to get back at the Tamworth Swans after having their pants pulled down by them in round 2 at No.1. That 50 point drubbing has been the Swans only win all year. It’s safe to say that the Swans won't make the finals but they would like to finish the year on a strong note and take a few more scalps yet. But in Inverell that won't happen this time round. The Saints have started to head towards their best over recent weeks with wins over the Eagles in Narrabri, the Bulldogs at home and the Cats in Muswellbrook. With that string of 3 wins on the trot and their win in round 1 they find themselves sitting in third place on the ladder. This would be their fourth win in a row and would give them a slice of equal second with the Nomads and whoever wins out of the Eagles v Bulldogs game. So at the end of this round there will be 2 games between 1st and 5th on the ladder and with such congestion you can't afford to drop games that you shouldn't and that is why the Saints will win here and put a scare through the rest of the competition. The top 5 five this year is so close with the 2 stand out teams being the Kangaroos and the Nomads. The Saints, Eagles and Bulldogs are all vying, realistically, for third spot and it will be interesting watching what happens over the next 6 rounds. Jono Elphick was outstanding last week against the Cats in his return game from suspension and this game is tailor made for him to go back to back with best on grounds.
Prediction: The Saints will beat a undermanned Swans team by 42 points.
The New England Nomads have the bye this week.
Last Modified on 05/07/2011 20:16