Match One: Tamworth Kangaroos 11.11.77 def Tamworth Swans 7.13.55 at Number One Oval
The Kangaroos have retained the Billy Holder Cup following a 22-point comeback win over their cross-town rivals on Saturday. It took some time for the reigning premiers to get going, finding themselves behind into the third quarter before coming home over the top to take the win. Both teams struggled with the early conditions and the intensity of the local derby, with defence coming out on top during the first quarter. Both teams could manage only one major for the opening term with the Roos taking a slender 2-point buffer into the first break. The Swans took control during the second, restricting the Roos to just two points, while kicking two goals themselves. Rick Watt must have been a happy man as his team took a 12-point lead into the long change, and his team had conceded just 13 points to one of the best attacks in the league. However, whatever Tim Cotter had to say at half time worked, as his troops took control during the Premiership quarter, kicking 5 goals to 2 to regain the lead with a quarter to go. The Swans were not out of the contest by any means, and an early goal got them back in front, before the Roos again steadied and pushed ahead late in the contest to record a gritty 22-point victory. The Roos finished the game with 10 second half goals to just 4 from the Swans in a match that was eerily similar to their last match up earlier in the season. The Roos had an even spread of goal kickers, with Matt Hodge slotting 3 majors in a welcome return to the team. He was amongst their best, with veteran Geordie Akeroyd and Ben Coombes also prominent. For the Swans, Gavin Knee continued his impressive season kicking three goals, with John Robinson, Damien Wendt and Paul Hobson the best for the red and whites.
The Roos now look forward to a massive clash against the Nomads after the long weekend, while the Swans will clash with the Bulldogs in Gunnedah.
Match Two: Inverell Saints 26.20.176 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 11.9.75 at Varley Oval
The Saints returned to the winner’s circle with a commanding 101-point win over the improving Bulldogs in Inverell on Saturday. This match was something of a danger game for the boys from the Sapphire City, and early on it looked as though the Dogs would be well in the contest, pushing the Saints early. A couple of late goals in the quarter to the Saints was the lead at the first change, but when the Dogs kicked the first of the second term, the match looked like an upset was on the cards. However the Saints settled, led by young gun Hamish Bird, who kicked 3 for the quarter, and saw them open up a 46 point lead into the long change on the back of an eight goal quarter. Errol Lather would have been happy with his troops at the long break, with only some small lapses of concentration hurting his team. They needed to come out in the third if they were any chance in the contest, but the Saints continued to pepper the goals, kicking seven goals to one in the term. The last quarter saw the match get a little scrappy, as the worsening conditions and the margin took some gloss of the game. The final margin of 101 points was a welcome boost to the Saints, but not truly reflective of the effort the Dogs put in. For the winners, Mike Gould and Nick Baird each slotted 5 goals, and their 12 individual goalkickers saw an even balance in attack. Gould was among their best, with Dave Vidovic very impressive against his old club and Toby Tollis also strong. Chris Gee continued to be a lone force up front for the Dogs, kicking 5 goals, with Andrew George everywhere and Matt Pengilly strong for the boys from Gunnedah.
The Saints will welcome the Cats to Inverell after the week off, as the Dogs look to get their second win of the year when they face the Swans at home.
Match Three: New England Nomads 13.14.92 def Muswellbrook Cats 5.9.39 at Werriman Field
The table topping Nomads made it 6 on the trot with a commanding 53 point win over the Cats in Muswellbrook. The Nomads made the long trip south vastly understrength but they proved too good for the Cats, setting up the win in the first three quarters of the match. They started the better of the teams in the first quarter, kicking 3 goals to one in the opening stanza to put themselves out in front by 16 points at the first change. Needing to lift, the Cats rallied early in the second, and did so around the field, but could not capitalise in front of the big sticks. While they were wasteful up front, the Nomads took advantage, kicking another two goals in the second to none for the Cats to open up a 27 point lead at the long break. Like good teams do, the Nomads blew the game open in the third quarter, slotting 7 goals for the term and restricting the Cats to just a single point to take the game right away from the home side and a 69 point lead with a quarter to go. The Cats rallied late in this one, kicking 4 goals to 1 in the last term, but it was too little, too late as the Nomads recorded the 53-point win and kept their position on top of the TAFL ladder. Coach Tom Granleese threw himself forward and kicked 5 majors, with Jon Freund, Jon Frost and Caleb Dobos their best. The Cats did not manage a multiple goal kicker, with Jai Pursell, Jordan Gageler and Brian Martin their best.
The Nomads will face the Roos in a massive clash after the long weekend while the Cats will travel north to Inverell to face the Saints.
The ladder now looks to be two different battles between three clubs respectively. The Nomads, Saints and Roos look set to battle out the fight to the Minor Premiership, while the Swans, Cats and Dogs are fighting for that fourth spot in the finals as we get close to the halfway mark of the season.
Last Modified on 09/06/2012 08:19