Major Semi Final: New England Nomads 16.16.112 def Inverell Saints 2.4.16 at Bellevue Oval Saturday afternoon
The New England Nomads stamped their authority on the 2013 TAFL season with a commanding 96 point thrashing of the Inverell Saints on Saturday. The Nomads lead at every change and left the ailing Saints in their wake as they dominated the boys from Inverell and put one hand on the 2013 Premiership Cup.
The match started under grey skies, with overnight and morning rain leaving puddles across the field, particularly in the middle. The team that attacked the footy hardest was going to be rewarded in this clash, and in the early going it was the Saints that looked hardest at the footy. They snared their first and only two goals of the contest in the opening 10 minutes and looked to be right in the contest. However, as the quarter progressed, the Nomad midfield got on top and helped themselves to 9 point lead at the first change.
The second quarter saw the conditions start to improve, and the Nomads took full advantage. They repelled the Saints forays forward and took full advantage of their own attacks in the forward 50. Livewires Jed Ellis-Cluff and Dave Richards came alive in the stanza, with Weston Whitby a constant threat through the middle. The Saints were kept scoreless in the quarter, quite possibly for the first time in their existence, and all of a sudden the margin was out to 5 goals at the long break.
One sensed the match was on the line in the first 10 minutes of the third quarter. Goals either way and the match could have been back on and both teams attacked with the ferocity it deserved. Once again, it was the Nomads defence that stood tall, with coach Granleese and captain Ballagh the main inspirations. Not only did they repel the Saints challenge, but started the rebound forward as the Saints were left languishing behind. By three quarter time, the Saints had added just 2 behinds to their score, while the Nomads had blasted the margin beyond 12 goals.
The final quarter became a sounding out for both clubs, with the cue in the rack and next week to look forward to. The Nomads defence however was as resolute as ever, with wave after wave of Saints attacks pushed back by the defenders. They held strong to the end, and even managed a few themselves to finish the game 96 point winners and seemingly run away 2013 Premiers.
Ellis-Cluff was fantastic up front and finished with 6 goals, with Richards and Simon Stubbs adding 3 each. Whitby, Riley Connor and Ballagh were the best for the victors but a case could have been made for all 22 men in green. For the Saints, just first quarter goals to KJ Te Velde and Hamish Bird to cheer about, with Justin Pay, Jono Elphick and Sam Kimmince doing their best to keep their side in the contest.
The Nomads will now host their first Grand Final since 2006 in a fortnights time while the Saints will need to regroup quickly and ready themselves for a do or die clash with the Roos in Inverell on Saturday.
Minor Semi Final: Tamworth Kangaroos 15.18.108 def Muswellbrook Cats 10.14.74 at Number One Oval Saturday afternoon
The Roos have kept their season alive with a 5 goal win over the Cats on Saturday afternoon. They lead at every change and had the game won with a quarter to go, however, to the credit of the Cats, they continued to fight right to the final siren.
The match started under gloomy skies and wet under foot, but both teams showed good skills early in the clash. Seemingly undaunted by their first trip to the post season in 6 years, the Cats started with plenty of bounce and put themselves right in the contest from the opening whistle. However, it was the Roos who settled best and made the most of their forays forward, kicking 6 first quarter goals to open up a handy lead at the first change.
The second quarter started in much the same manner as the first as both clubs fought tooth and nail to get the upper hand around the ground. Once again, the class of the Roos rose to the top and the experienced heads of Hodge, Robinson and the returning Cotter put the boys from Tamworth in a commanding position. They restricted the Cats wide runners and took full advantage on the counter as the margin blew out to 6 goals at the long change.
The Cats had to respond early in the third quarter to stay in touch, and behind the efforts of Martin and Bower they did just that. After kicking the first of the period they were full of running, but the Roos again weathered the storm and replied with interest, piling on 5 goals from the quarter to all but seal the result. With 25 minutes to play the margin was out to 58 points and the Roos looked home.
The final quarter turned out to be the final quarter of the Cats 2013 season, but they did not go out without a fight. They kicked 5 goals to the Roos 2 for the period and proved once again they have the ability to match it with the best in the TAFL. The final margin stood at 34 points, an effort the boys from Muswellbrook should be proud of in a season of great improvement.
For the victors, Matt Hodge was again the main destroyer up front with 6 goals with Alex Hudson finishing with 3. Hodge, together with Hudson and Dan Gimbert were the best on field. Unfortunately no details are know of the Cats goal kickers or best on grounds.
The Cats complete a successful season and look to 2014, with the Roos now heading north in a massive Prelim Final against the Saints in Inverell.
Last Modified on 20/08/2013 13:23