Match One: New England Nomads 16.13.109 def Tamworth Kangaroos 11.8.74 at Number One Oval
The Nomads wrapped up the Minor Premiership on Saturday afternoon with a 35 point win over the Roos on Saturday afternoon and will host the Major Semi Final regardless of this weekend's catch up matches. The Nomads led at every change following a blistering start and were never headed to get some revenge for their Round 9 loss in Armidale.
The first half of this clash was all Nomads. The reigning premiers asserted their strength across the park and blew out to a 40 point half time lead on the back of some dominating play through the midfield and up front. Dave Richards had a welcome return to form and together with Jed Ellis-Cluff, the students were back to their best following a stuttering few weeks.
To their credit, the Roos fought back in the second half and showed some reseilience to keep the second half tight. They too were led by their superstar forward Matt Hodge who valiantly tried to keep to keep his side in the contest. Despite winning the second half, they were left to rue the first 50 minutes of this clash where the match was won and lost.
Ellis Cluff finished the match with 5 goals while Richards added 3 for the victors. Tim Snelling, Charlie Bender and Grant Elson were the students' best. Hodge finished the match with 3 majors to all but secure the Gerry Griffiths Medal for 2013. He was amonsgt the Roos best, with Dan Gimbert and Drew Murden also impressing.
Match Two: Inverell Saints 17.26.128 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 9.8.62 at Wolseley Oval
The Saints headed to Gunnedah knowing that a win may be enough to secure second place on the TAFL ladder if results went their way and did excatly that with an unconvincing 66 point win over the Bulldogs. The Saints wayward goal kicking from the early part of the season returned on the weekend and they wasted an opportunity to really wrap up second place with a big win. As it stands their lead on percentage should be enough for this weekend, but stranger things have happened in footy.
The match started evenly with the Dogs knowing a win would get them back in the chase for the last spot in the TAFL finals. The margin was just a couple of goals iat the first change, but a dominant second term from the Saints saw them open up a handy 32 point lead at the long break.
It was obvious the Saints left their kicking boots in the sheds at half time as they came out in the third controlling the game but unable to assert that dominance on the scoreboard. They managed 3.9 for the quarter and saw their lead get out to 44 points with a term to go. They managed to extend that margin out to 66 points at the finals siren and despite being far from convincing, they put themselves in pole position for second spot on the ladder.
Details on the Saints best and goal kickers was unable at time of prinitng. The Dogs had Russell Maddinson and Adam Waugh kick two goals, with Maddinsoin, James Mack and Tom Lather their best.
Match Three: Tamworth Swans 17.12.114 def Muswellbrook Cats 9.7.61 at Number One Oval
The Swans recorded win number one for the season on Saturday afternoon with an emphatic 53 point win over the Cats in Tamworth. The Swans went close to knocking the Saints off on Tuesday night and carried that form into this clash where they lead from start to finish. The win was set up around their defence in the first term and they didn't allow the Cats back into the contest.
The Swans started on fire in the match and quickly opened up a commanding lead. They restricted the Cats to just 8 points in the first term while piling on 5 goals themlseves. They continued with some more attacking raids in the second,however, the Cats did fight back in the term to get the margin back to 19 points at the long change.
The match was well in the balance at half time before the Swans produced arguably their best quarter of the season to put the result beyond doubt. They piled on 7 goals to 2 for the quarter to extend their lead to 54 points at the final change and set themselves to enjoy their first win of the season. The final quarter was an even affair as both teams looked forward to the final siren. The final margin was a blow to the Cats but escatasy for the Swans as they recorded their first win in 2013.
Gavin Knee was the key performer up front with 4 goals to amongst the Swans best, with Josh McRae and Josh McKenzie also their best. Jackson Bower was strong up front for the Cats with 5 majors, with Cameron Benkovic, Clinton Blenman and Brian Martin also prominent.
Last Modified on 07/08/2013 13:14