Game 1: Narrabri Eagles v Inverell Saints
The Drum was about that the Saints were not that far behind the Kangaroos last match and might have been a little stiff to get done. They certainly were hard done by on the injury front, but get no relief this week taking on the League's other form team in the Narrabri Eagles. The Eagles had some momentum up and were also unlucky not to roll the Roos, so the time off might not have been what Phil Dennis would have opted for. The Drum expects that the wiley Eagles coach would have done some fine tuning with his team in that fortnight, and his charges are fit and play Leitch Oval very well. The Saints don't seem to have the same run in them as the Eagles and that is where The Drum thinks this one might be won. Always wary of the Saints, and they will be keen to stop their three game losing streak here, but injuries and the suspension of Elphick will deplete what is already a weakened Premier side. The Eagles will have to keep Nick Baird off the ball, as the short ground out west could see him goal from anywhere forward of centre, and the canny Dick Gleeson might provide some surprises. In the end though, the run of Narrabri, the experience in Shawcross and Barrow across the centre and a useful forward line should get the Eagles home.
The Drum: Eagles by five goals.
Game 2: Tamworth Kangaroos v Tamworth Swans
The matches between the two original TAFL teams are generally tight ones, irrespective of where the teams sit on the ladder, and there is no love lost between the two. A keen contest should follow. The Fridge seems to have a lot of faith in the Swans and has been disappointed in their efforts so far. They seemed to show a little more against the Nomads two weeks ago, but the Tablelanders were down on troops and the result may have flattered the Swans on the day. The Drum is not convinced they have the class nor the four-quarters of run to match it with the rampaging Kangaroos. With bags this year to Overeem, Cam Douglas and now Cotter, the Roos are like Collingwood in that you just don't know where the goals might come from. They just seem to come. The Kangaroos look well disciplined and have been playing good, structured footy. The Swans are anything but so far, but this game might be the time they step up to the plate. These teams have not met since early in 2010 so will be very excited to get a piece of each other. If that is motiviation for the Swans to finally live up to the Fridge's billing, then they might get the rabbits here. But The Drum is they won't.
The Drum: Kangaroos by seven goals.
Game 3: Gunnedah Bulldogs v New England Nomads
If The Drum's tips went in for this game in March, the Nomads would have been circled with daylight to run second. But the Nomads, despite ticking the wins over, have not hit a sweet rhythm so far. They might have done enough to challenge later in the year, but are they going well enough to topple the Dogs? The Dogs have surpised, after key losses in their midfield strength, in finding players to fill those voids and produce. Sam Naismith remains their biggest asset, literally. The Drum would back him over the Nomads' big OT in a contest, but of all the League's ruck opponents the latter is the best chance to match Big Sam for height and mobility and might just be enough of a nusance factor to limit his impact on this match. The Dogs often get their best pack together when in 'The Kennel', so the Nomads can expect to face a full set gnarling teeth on the weekend. The Drum is the Nomads might still be without the odd key player, and The Drum is not convinced they will get away with taking anything less than their best to Gunnedah for this.
The Drum: Bulldogs by three goals.
Last Modified on 15/06/2011 23:05