Match One: Tamworth Swans v Inverell Saints at Number One Oval Saturday 2pm
The first match of the weekend sees the winless Swans taking on the second placed Saints in Tamworth. This match is under a slight cloud as of Thursday night as Number One Oval was closed due to wet weather with the chance of more to come. However, hopefully the skies will clear Friday and it can go ahead.
The Swans are coming off a strong performance against the Cats in Muswellbrook and finished off that game playing good footy. They will be very hopeful that they can continue the form they showed in the last quarter of that match when they got within 2 kicks of the Cats by the final siren. They welcomed back veteran Gavin Knee and his experience will be crucial in knocking off the Saints this weekend. They are every chance of springing an upset, but one gets the feeling they will need to get a big contribution from Knee and fellow stalwarts and Damien Wendt and Josh McKenzie.
The Saints were able to record a big win over the Dogs last start and have been working towards playing some good footy in recent weeks. They are still missing their most potent forward in Mike Gould, but shared the load last week to record a big score. They will need consistent contributions again this week if Gould was to miss, but the return to form of Chris Whitton up front must be pleasing to Jason Gobbert. They don’t play Number One well, but a win here is vital to the Saints hopes of holding onto second spot.
It would not surprise if the Swans could snag the win here. They pushed the Saints in Tamworth last year and have been working towards that first win of the season. However, the Saints will be primed for this and won’t take the contest lightly.
TAFL Tipster – Saints by 2 goals
Match Two: Muswellbrook Cats v Tamworth Kangaroos at Werriman Field Saturday 2pm
A huge clash at Muswellbrook could well be the match of the round this weekend as the fourth placed Cats hosting the third placed Roos. The Cats have a standing in the top 4 for the first time in many seasons and won’t be keen to give that spot up any time soon. The Roos are quickly becoming a real force in 2013 and also need to win to stay in touch with the top 2.
The Cats have been a revelation in 2013. Their mix of youth and experience is paying dividends and the coaching staff down south must be impressed with the development of players such as Cameron Davis and Jackson Bower. They have the best resurgence story of the TAFL with Ken Garland outstanding in the forward line and is a real chance of taking home the Gerry Griffiths Medal on Presentation Night. If he can get the supply to kick a big score this weekend, the Cats are half way to another win.
The Roos managed what no team has managed in 9 months last week when they knocked off the Nomads in Armidale. Brett Douglas has made some enterprising moves with his key personnel and it is paying dividends. Alex Hudson provided numerous attacking forays from deep in the Roos defence and the likes of Matt Hodge and Dan Overeem are cashing in. The Cats will need to find a way to stop the run from defence to stifle the Roos offence.
The Cats have been tough to roll at home this year and the Roos cannot take the game lightly. However, with so much to play for, Douglas will have his tropps well fired up.
TAFL Tipster – Roos by 15 points
Match Three: Gunnedah Bulldogs v New England Nomads (not a Wolseley Oval – Venue TBC) Saturday 2pm
The third match of the weekend has also been affected by rain. Wolseley Oval has been closed by Gunnedah Council following 44mm of rain on Thursday and the match may be changed to Leitch Oval in Narrabri or Bellevue Oval in Armidale.
The Dogs would love a chance to run out on Saturday after they didn’t manage a game a fortnight ago either. They have lost their spot in the TAFL top 4 and have not registered a win since Round 3 when they were 2 and 1. They were outplayed for much of the first three quarters last week, however their last quarter in Inverell was outstanding. If they can continue that form this weekend they are a chance of beating the understrength Nomads. Their usual subjects in Scott Hardy and Michael Kennedy will be asked to carry the load to get the team over the line.
The Nomads suffered their first loss since the Major Semi last year at the Roos of the Roos last weekend and will be keen to get back in the winners circle. They were badly depleted by a lack of troops last week and may be still in the same predicament this week while uni holidays continue. They continued to fight last week and were at times their own worst enemy so there were still plenty of positives for Tom Granleese’s men.
The Nomads cannot allow the chasing pack a sniff of getting back in the race for the Minor Premiership and the Dogs just haven’t got winning form at the moment.
TAFL Tipster – If the rain doesn’t stop them, the Nomads by 18 points
Last Modified on 28/06/2013 08:59