The 2007 TAFL Premiers, the Inverell Saints, showed they will again be a force to be reckoned with after a successful pre-season Tablelands Cup campaign in Armidale on Saturday. The Saints were under-strength with a number of their experienced players not available due to cricket commitments. The club used the opportunity to give some of their young brigade some game time. A number of players stood out including the Kimmince boys, Tom Williams and Alex Walker with some of their experienced people including Mick Viney, Nick Baird and Gary Hadland having good days. The team got off to a flying start with a hard fought win against one of the gun sides of the strong North Coast AFL, the Sawtell Saints, with a hard fought six point win against the Coast boys. They followed that up with a big win against Nambucca Lions and Tamworth Swans before being pipped at the post by the Nomads by 8 points in the final match. The Saints coaching staff were thrilled with the performances of the "young Saints" and, with a number of experienced players to return for round one against the Tamworth Swans, the club is confident of another strong season. One of the game highlights against the Nomads was Kye Bailey kicking his first goal in senior football.
The results were as follows:
Inverell Saints 4 6 30 Sawtell 3 6 24
Inverell Saints 10 8 68 Nambucca Lions 2 1 13
Inverell Saints 7 5 47 Tamworth Swans 1 2 8
New England Nomads 5 2 32 Inverell Saints 3 6 24
By Peter Diskon
Last Modified on 16/03/2008 08:27