Inverell Saints v Muswellbrook Cats – 3.30pm at Number One Oval
The traditional neutral venue clash between the League’s most distant neighbours has been moved forward this year from the final round to the first, and is the second of the three games in Round 1. This clash takes on a whole new meaning in 2013, with the past few neutral venue clashes meaning very little in terms of ladder position. However, in 2013, both teams are equal on points and very keen to get the season off to a winning start. 2012 saw the Saints fall at the final hurdle again for their second consecutive second place, while the Cats were improved overall on the season, but missed the finals for the 5th straight season.
The Saints enter the 2013 competition on the back of a league record 6 straight Grand Final appearances. Whilst they have managed just 2 flags in that time, they have been the benchmark for the better part of a decade in the TAFL, and the team that every club loves to beat. Jason Gobbert returns to coach the team for the second time, and he will be hoping the disappointment of last September is the driving force behind his players in 2013. They have a returning star in Jono Elphick this year, but have lost a number of key personnel from last year’s campaign, including the early front runner for the Gilles Medal Leigh Turner. They have done some recruiting to help cover the loses, but will spend the early part of this season adapting to life without the League’s best ruckman.
The Cats were something of a revelation last season, with a host of young stars making their debut for the club. However, as is the case with a young list, they suffered from inconsistency for much of the year and were unable to back up good performances week to week. Their game plan to run sides of the paddock proved very effective, and the youthful exuberance they displayed last year was a pleasure to watch. They have lost their leading vote getter in Jai Pursell back to the Black Diamond League and he will leave a huge hole in the midfield, however if they continue to develop their young stars the Cats will be a big dark horse in 2013.
This match up has been won by the Saints on the past 5 occasions, as the boys from the Sapphire City have generally used it as a tune up for the finals and the Cats generally as one last bus trip to end the season. That all changes this year, and one thinks it changes the complexion of the game as well. The Saints have not traditionally played well in the cramped confines of Number One, and have not won a clash in Tamworth played before Round 10 since 2007. That is a fair bit of history to change for this clash, but one would think they could buck the trend.
TAFL Tipster – The Saints to win a close one, by 12 points
Last Modified on 09/04/2013 08:05