The match of the round is at Tamworth's NO.1 Oval this week. The Tamworth Swans are preparing to swoop at the Gunnedah Bulldogs. The last time these two met was in round 14 last year at NO.1 and the Swans caused a minor upset winning by 16 points. This year the Swans are 1-1 and sitting third on the ladder, their highest spot since 2006. The Bulldogs have started the season in the best possible way by smashing the Cats at the Cattery and sending the Kangaroos home to Tamworth with their tail between their legs. The Swans engine room is working well right now, especially Gavin Knee, and the Bulldogs will need to be right on the ball if they are to beat them. The Bulldogs on the other hand have strength all over the ground, especially up forward with youngster Farran Lamb to convert their good work and he will need to be watched closely.
My tip is the Swans to cause the Bulldogs' first loss of the season by 8 points.
In the second game of the round the win-less Inverell Saints will host their closest rivals, the New England Nomads. The 2008 Preliminary Final in Inverell was the last time these two met, with the Saints re-energised effort after losing to the Kangaroos the week earlier winning by 53 points. This year it is a whole different ball game with the Nomads coming from behind in round 1 against the Swans to record a very good win. In round 2 the Cats forfeited to the Nomads handing them the top spot on the ladder. Weston Whitby for the Nomads has started this year in very good form and has been known to be a very big headache for the Saints in the past. The Saints are struggling with their discipline at the moment and will need to get this right if they are to have a chance of beating the Nomads.
I tip the Nomads remaining unbeaten and just getting over the Saints by 14 points.
The final game of the round finds the Cats hosting the Kangaroos at the Cattery in Muswellbrook. The last time these two met was in round 13 at the Cattery and the Kangaroos were just staring to get a full head of steam heading toward the 2008 premiership, beating the undermanned Cats by 90 points. The Kangaroos got the points over the Saints in round 1 with a team the shadow of the 2008 premiers, and impressed while doing so, and then came back to earth with a thud in round 2 down at the Kennel against the Bulldogs. The Cats were right in the game at half time against the Bulldogs in round 1 before being completely blasted off the ground in the second half by 106 points. They then failed to travel to Armidale in round 2.
My tip is going to be the Kangaroos but they will have to win it, not expect that it will be handed to them. 34 points will be the margin.
Last Modified on 13/05/2009 19:42