GAME 1: Tamworth Kangaroos v Narrabri Eagles
The Kangaroos learnt in their trip to Leitch Oval this year that any side taking the Eagles lightly does so at their peril. I expect coach Bishop will reinforce this to his lads during this week and, likely smarting from their loss to the Saints, I expect a fired up Roos outfit will take to No. 1 Oval to face the Eagles. Reports from Varley last week were that the Roos were every inch in the game until the final quarter and they will know that a loss in this will be a serious hurdle to their minor premiership dreams. The Eagles are a strong team that will improve every time they hit the track this season and will take the contest up to their more fancied hosts. I'd like to see the Eagles play some finals footy this year and if they are any chance they will need to spring an upset in a match like this. Ma did say you don't always get what you want, and while I don't doubt the Eagles ability I think the Roos will be just a little too hot for them to handle.
THE DRUM: Kangaroos by four goals.
GAME 2: Inverell Saints v New England Nomads
The yard stick of the Tamworth AFL is the Inverell Saints at home, so I expect after this week we will know a little more about how genuine a chance the Nomads are, especially now it is looking like any team with it's eyes on the Country Energy Cup will have to roll the Saints in the Sapphire City in the finals. The Saints will go into this full of confidence and they are at their most dangerous when they have their tails up. They have a good mix of run and size, but with the spaces at Varley the latter might hurt against the energetic students. The ruck battle of height versus weight will be intriguing, and with Whitby and Viney in the respective forward lines the team that trumps at the stoppages will go a long way to victory. Brendan Meehan's side has looked very good of late and will have every reason to be confident in this. This will be the match of the round. Torn like Natalie Imbruglia, I am going out on a slight limb this week and will take the better odds on the Nomads.
THE DRUM: Nomads by not much at all.
GAME 3: Muswellbrook Cats v Tamworth Swans
This one is not as obvious as it may seem. It is no secret that the Cats have struggled of late, but they have shown some genuine flashes of brilliance this year and their last match against the Swans was one of their best performances for two years. The Swans have not travelled well recently but appear to be working themselves back into form. Reports from No. 1 last week suggest the Swans might have been lucky to escape the Bulldogs, but coming back in the last quarter shows a winning edge they looked to have lost. They will be bracing for a physical challenge from the Cats, who are edging closer to a win and nearly got over the Eagles when they hosted them. With little between the Swans and Eagles a fortnight ago, the formline suggests the Cats are a big chance of their first win in two seasons. The lure of that carrot will carry them to every contest and if the Swans are even a little off the Cats might not let them find their rhythm. Having said that, and loving an under dog, the percentages point to the Swans and sanity must rule.
THE DRUM: Swans by six goals.
Last Modified on 07/07/2010 08:02