Match One: New England Nomads 20.9.129 def Tamworth Swans 3.8.26 at Bellevue Oval
The League leading Nomads asserted their authority on Saturday and exacted some revenge for their Round 1 loss to the Swans with a commanding 103 point victory. The boys from Armidale jumped out of the blocks flying, kicking 4 goals to none in the first quarter. However the Swans may have been ruing some missed opportunities early, having just one less scoring shot for the quarter but finding themselves down by 21 points at the first change. The second quarter was much more even, with the Swans managing to straighten up and slot 2 goals for the quarter to the Nomads 3. As always in footy, the third quarter was always going to be pivotal, and it was the Nomads who took total control of the contest. They piled on 5 goals for the quarter, whilst the Swans could manage only one major and the game was all but over at the last change with the Nomads holding a 56-point lead. The final quarter was more of the same, as the Nomads helped boost their already healthy percentage with an 8 goal term and saw the margin pushed out to 103 points at the final siren. For the Nomads, livewire Dave Richards found some form in front of goal, slotting 8, with Ash Cruikshank and Simon Stubbs each kicking 3. Richards was amongst their best, with midfielders Cameron Grigg and Dave Graan also garnering praise from Tom Granleese. Gavin Knee was the only multiple goalkicker for the Swans with two, while Ross Fraser continued his strong season with a another good game, supported by Will Priest and Carl Shave.
The Nomads now sit alone at the top of the TAFL ladder, but face their toughest test travelling over the next 5 weeks. They have set themselves up for a big season if they can get the troops on the paddock, The Swans are now in a fierce battle for fourth spot on the ladder and have the local derby to look forward to next weekend.
Tamworth Kangaroos 20.11.131 def Inverell Saints 15.18.108 at Number One Oval
The second of the Grand Final replays saw the ledger squared at one all as the Roos exacted revenge for their Round 1 loss with a 23 point victory on Saturday. The match was a fierce battle as it custom for these two clubs and in the early going it was all Saints as they worked forward and looked the better of the two clubs. However, they were once again wasteful in front of goal, and with a 2.8 first quarter scoreline, they were behind the Roos at the first change despite the dominance. The second quarter saw much of the same, as the Saints had the early going and opened up a two goal buffer. However, the Roos responded and piled on 4 unanswered goals to take a commanding lead. The Saints pegged one back, before a goal after the half time siren got the Roos back out 14 points at the long change, while the Saints could only rue yet more wasted opportunities in front of goal. The match opened up in the third quarter, with end to end football played by both sides. The Saints once again had the better of the flow, and kicked 6 for the quarter, with the game all tied up with a quarter to play. Having not lost a final term all year, the boys from Inverell may have felt confident they could get away with this, especially after kicking the first of the term, however the Roos never lay down easy, and kicked three quick goals to take back the ascendancy. Another Saints goals got them back to 4 points, before the Roos kicked the last 4 goals of the game to run away convincing winners. Dan Overeem was at his damaging best up front, kicking 5 goals, while Alex Hudson capped a strong outing with 3 of his own. Hudson was one of the Roos best, with Ben Kennedy and Rob Fisher also prominent. Alex Walker slotted 3 for the Saints and was amongst their best, while Leigh Turner continued his excellent year in the middle for the Saints.
Both teams are now locked at 4 and 2 on the ladder, with only percentage keeping the Saints in second.
Gunnedah Bulldogs 25.13.163 def Muswellbrook Cats 7.3.45 at Wolseley Oval
The Bulldogs got their long deserved first win of 2012 with a commanding 118 point victory over the Cats in Gunnedah. The Dogs dominated from start to finish and would have sung the song with gusto and got their season back on track and are still a chance for finals football. The rout started right from the opening bounce, with the Dogs kicking 8 goals to one in the opening term, and set up a 44 point lead at the first change. They backed that up with yet another 8 goals in the second, while the Cats could managed only 3 for the half and found themselves 82 points down at the long break. Staring down the barrel of a bad loss, the Cats rallied somewhat in the second half, and managed to slow the Dogs onslaught and managed a few goals themselves. The final margin of 118 points was the biggest win the Dogs have achieved in some time, and put themselves back in the running for a finals spot. Chris Gee continued his strong season in front of goals with 10, while Farren Lamb kicked 4 majors. Gee was best for the winners, with Matt Pengilly and Jesse Dixon also strong. For the Cats, Stu McAdam kicked 5 as their only multiple goal kicker, while Jai Pursell, Jarrod Brayburn and Grant O’Leary were their best.
The Dogs now head north to Inverell next week looking to build on this performance, while the Cats host the table topping Nomads.
Last Modified on 09/06/2012 08:19