Match 1 - New England Nomads v Tamworth Kangaroos at Bellevue Oval
This match will be a fantastic contest between two of last weekend's big winners. The Nomads destroyed a depleted Cats outfit and recorded a comprehensive 110 point victory and the Roos smashed the Swans in the derby to take early season bragging rights in Tamworth. The biggest question in this one is which club is going to respond best to such a big win? You could make the case for the Nomads, who unearthed a new forward spearhead in Simon Stubbs who outshone Weston Whitby and Dave Richards in last week's rout. It would certainly be a big advantage for the Nomads to add another attacking threat up front, meaning opposition defenses are going to be stretched thin with yet another force to try to nullify. However, one would suggest if any team could cover down back it's the Roos. They have an unheralded backline that doesn't get the recognition it deserves behind such a dominant midfield. But reports from last week suggest Col Daye was everywhere in leading his team from defense, and with the some hard nosed, no nonsense helpers down back, the Roos don't give away many easy goals. This game could well come down to the team that makes the most of their opportunities and the Roos have been ruthless in front of goals this year.
It is very hard to run the form line through these teams and conventional wisdom this season suggests one should tip the team at home, but the Roos were so impressive last week...
TAFL Tipster - Roos by 2 straight kicks
Tamworth Swans v Gunnedah Bulldogs at Number One Oval
The Swans get their third game in Tamworth in a row to start and will be very keen to ensure they start the season off with a 2 and 1 record. They would have been disappointed with their second half last week after being right in the match at the long break. The Bulldogs showed glimpses of what they can produce last week, but being consistent is always going to be a challenge early in this season with so many new faces. They certainly have the ability to be a big threat this year as they start to gel, but this task could be too much this early in the season. The Swans will be fired up, and have been well led by Simon Freer early in the season, and the evergreen Dean Finlay has produced some strong games in this young season. However the Dogs backline were strong last week despite the scoreline, with Shane Murphy producing an outstanding performance on Saints captain Chris Whitton and Paul Bushby also very strong. They may have to continue to produce this week in order for the Dogs to have a chance.
The Swans are going to be fired up here, and despite the fact the Dogs will improve this year, this one will be too much to ask.
TAFL Tipster - Swans by 5 goals
Muswellbrook Cats v Inverell Saints at Werriman Field
The league leading Saints make the longest road trip in football down the highway to take on the Cats. The Saints face a second tough road trip in as many weeks but were comprehensive in their victory in Gunnedah last Sunday. They could be hard to budge here and generally play well after the long bus trip. The Cats are undefeated at home this year after a good win over the Bulldogs in Round 1. Last week's loss may have dented the confidence but will take solace in the fact that they travelled well understrength. They love the wide expanse of Werriman and always play a tough brand of footy. An upset could well be on the cards in this one if the Saints turn up with anything less than 100% committment. One would suggest Jason Gobbert won't allow that to happen and will be riding his leaders hard in this one.
The Saints deserve to enter this one as favourites and all things point to a win for them here, but not by as much as some would think.
TAFL tipster - Saints by 4 goals
Last Modified on 25/04/2012 18:21