Preliminary Final: Inverell Saints 20.18.138 def Tamworth Kangaroos 12.7.79 at Varley Oval on Saturday afternoon
The Saints have marched into their seventh consecutive Grand Final with a comprehensive 59 point win over the Roos on Saturday afternoon. The match between the old foes was a tight battle for much of the first half before a blistering third term saw the Saints secure their spot in the 2013 TAFL Grand Final, while the Roos were consigned to their second straight year of third place.
The contest was on in earnest early in this clash under clear skies and a warm Inverell day. Both teams attacked with ferocity in the early exchanges and constant pressure was applied to the ball carrier. The Saints had the better of the opening quarter and pushed forward only to be wasteful in front of goal and return just 1.8 for the opening term. The Roos were far more clinical in going forward, with Matt Hodge looking dangerous up front and Alex Hudson and Luke Robinson controlling the midfield they took a 5 point lead into the first change.
A yellow card handed to the Roos late in the first quarter seemed to shift some momentum the Saints way late in the term, however it was the Roos that responded best early in the second. Despite being a man down, they kicked the first three of the quarter and put themselves up by 20 points, before the Saints also had a player sent for the field for 15 minutes. Again, it was the team that went down the player that responded best, with the Saints producing some inspiring footy in the second to reduce the margin despite the disadvantage. Once back to even keel, a last minute goal to Mike Gould put the Saints in front at the long change by 2 points with a huge second half coming up.
The third term is not called the Premiership quarter for nothing, and it was the Saints that produced when it mattered most. They put on a clinic in the first 15 minutes of the third, piling on 8 goals straight to extend their margin to 50 points. The Roos responded late in the term, before the Saints again settled and saw the margin out to 55 points at the last change following an impressive 11 goal straight term.
The final quarter became something of a non event as both teams looked forward to the final siren. The Saints kicked the first of the term to seal the victory, and both sides managed three goals for the stanza. At the final siren the margin stood at 59 points, with the Saints heading to the Big Show once again.
Mike Gould was impressive in his return with 9 goals up forward, with Chris Whitton finishing with 4. Toby Tollis, Justin Pay and Hamish Bird were the best through the midfield. For the Roos, Vic Tharenou finished with 3 goals, with Hodge chipping in 2. Tharenou, Hudson and Robinson were the best in a losing effort.
Last Modified on 27/08/2013 10:58