Match One: Tamworth Kangaroos 25.15.165 def Tamworth Swans 3.5.23 at Number One Oval
The 2013 Bill Holder Cup series has been won by the Kangaroos with a game to spare following the Roos 142 point thrashing of the Swans on Saturday afternoon. The Roos have won both clashes this year with a game to go and sounded another warning to the league that they are far from a spent force in 2013.
The result of the match-up was all but decided at quarter time. The Roos hit the ground running off the back of strong performances in recent weeks and had all the running in the opening 25 minutes. They piled on 8 goals for the quarter while the shell-shocked Swans could answer with just a single goal in reply. The margin at the first change was 45 points and the Swans had it all to do to get back in the contest.
Needing to lift, the red side of Tamworth did exactly that in the second stanza. They started to win their fair share of the ball and restricted the run and carry of the Roos through the middle. However, as has been the trend in recent weeks, they were unable to put that share of possession onto the scoreboard managing just one other goal for the quarter. The Roos slotted two themselves and extended the lead to 51 points at the long change.
Sensing the Swans were getting back into the game, Brett Douglas made a couple of important changes at the half and sent veteran Dan Overeem forward with instant success. The club stalwart slotted 9 second half goals, 4 of which came in the third quarter when the Roos finally put the result beyond doubt. The Roos kicked 15 second half goals to just one for the Swans, including a blistering third term where they piled on 7.4 to just one behind. The final margin extended to 142 points and the Roos secured third place on the TAFL ladder.
For the victors, Overeem kicked his 9, with Matt Hodge and Dean Hoy chipping in with six and five goals respectively. Carl Frazier, Ian Leys and Alex Hudson were the best for the Roos. The Swans had no multiple goal kickers but were best served by Shane Kilby, Will Priest and Josh McKenzie.
Match Two: New England Nomads 15.4.94 def Inverell Saints 6.17.53 at Varley Oval
The Nomads juggernaut rolled on on Saturday when the boys from Armidale defeated the Saints by 41 points in Inverell. The tale of this match lies on the scoresheet, with the Saints wasteful in front of goal while the Nomads were very efficient. Despite having 4 less scoring shots, the Nomads cruised to victory over the last 15 minutes as they heaped more misery on the Saints in Inverell.
The match started with both clubs trading early blows as they ventured forward. The trend of the game was set in the first quarter with the Saints getting 10 scoring shots on goal but having only 2 goals to show for it and lead of just 2 points over the accurate Nomads at the first change.
The complexion of the match changed in the second term. The Saints kicked the first of the quarter and looked to have stolen a mini break over the reigning premiers, however the Nomads started to take control of the contest in the next 10 minutes. It was the last 10 minutes of the half that proved to be the killer blow for the Saints, as the Nomads piled on 6 goals in that period to open up a 29 point lead at the long change.
Needing to lift, the Saints put in a much better effort in the third quarter. Jason Gobbert’s inspired move to send Hamish Bird into defence to play on Jed Ellis-Cluff worked a treat, as the dangerous Nomad forward could not get himself a touch after having his own Sherrin for the first half. However, for all the dominance the Saints enjoyed for the quarter, they could not convert this into scoreboard pressure. Both Nomad goals for the stanza came from deep in the Saints forward line, with the sweeping Nomad runners carrying the football the length of Varley Oval to score. The Saints did manage to get the margin back to 20 points at the last change, but still with plenty to do in order to get the 4 points.
The final quarter was one for the purists. Each and every contest was attacked at 100% and neither side refused to yield. The difference in the quarter turned out to be the same trend for the match as the Nomads took full advantage of their chances while the Saints continued to waste theirs. The final margin of 41 points was not a true reflection of the closeness of the contest all day, but a deserved margin for the clinical Nomads.
James Boatfield joined Saint Mike Gould at the top of the Griffiths Medal race with 5 goals, while Ellis-Cluff kicked 4. Despite being well held in the second half, Ellis-Cluff did enough to earn best on field accolades, with Grant Elson and Riley Connor also prominent. For the Saints, KJ Te Velde proved a surprise packet up front with 3 goals in a strong performance, with Rusell Brien and Justin Pay also good.
Match Three: Muswellbrook Cats 15.21.111 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 12.6.78 at Werriman Field
The Cats have earned their second win of the 2013 season with a commanding 33 point victory over the Dogs in Muswellbrook. The Cats jumped to an early lead and were never headed by a short-handed Dogs side. The result leaves the window wide open in the race for fourth spot on the ladder with only percentages now separating the two sides.
The first quarter saw the Cats come to play. After being sluggish last week they were keen to get off to a flyer and they did exactly that, booting 6 goals in the opening 25 minutes in what was easily their best quarter of the season so far. They could even be accused of being wasteful in front of goal as the Dogs kicked 3 straight to stay in the contest but with plenty to do trailing by 26 points at the first change.
The second quarter was almost a carbon copy of the first with the rampant Cats making the running of the game. Again, they were a little wasteful in front of the big sticks, while the Dogs had just one shot on goal for a major score. The halftime margin had blown out to 57 points and the Dogs needing to lift to stay in the game.
The premiership quarter always likes to throw up a couple of curve balls and the Dogs determination showed through as they made a charge at the Cats. The home side had Clinton Blenman sent to the sidelines for 15 minutes and the Dogs took full advantage of their extra on the field to out score and out play the Cats for the stanza. The Dogs piled on 6 goals for the quarter whilst the Cats could not manage a major to bring the margin back to 20 points at the last change and the game right back on.
An epic last quarter ensued, with the Dogs fighting tooth and nail to get back to equal terms with the home side. However, the young Cats side stood up to the challenge and steadied the ship, kicking 4 last quarter goals to seal the match. Their 33 point final margin would go down as one of their bigger wins over the past few seasons and puts them right in the chase for fourth spot.
The Cats were best served up front by veteran Ken Garland who kicked 7 goals in a best on ground performance. Adam Griffiths and Brian Martin were also strong for the home team. Damian Baldwin was dangerous up front for the Dogs, kicking 4 in a strong performance, with Ryan Cooper and Jake Vigor also good.
Last Modified on 05/06/2013 09:35