The Inverell Saints have fought off a determined Narrabri Eagles to keep alive their 2011 Premiership campaign and played themselves into a 6th straight Preliminary Final berth. The Saints led at every change and finished 40 points to the good which was the exact margin when the two sides met 4 weeks ago.
Knowing the Eagles were going to come out hard, the Saints focussed on getting a strong start and after some early attacking raids from the Eagles were repelled, the Saints kicked the first two majors of the game. The Eagles stedied with one of their own, however another 3 goal burst from the Saints before the teams again traded majors saw the quarter time lead out to 25 points in favour of the Saints. Coach Nick Baird booted 3 of his 4 goals in the first as the Saints got off to the perfect start.
Needing to maintain the rage, the Saints continued on with the first two goals of second to open up a commanding lead. The Eagles worked hard to pull the margin back with some strong defensive work and counter attack football, but the margin was still a handy 38 point buffer at the long change.
After kicking the first of the third quarter, the Saints might have thought it was time to put the cue in the rack but the Eagles were fighting hard to keep their season alive and booted the next three of the game to close the margin back to 25 points and have some sniff of victory. However a late Leigh Turner goal steadied the ship for the Saints and left the three quarter time lead at 33 points.
The address at the last change for the Saints was not a pretty one and cannot be repeated on this website, but the message got through to the players as the Saints kicked the first two goals of the last quarter to put the game to bed. Another fine crumbing goal to young gun Hamish Bird put the icing on top as the Saints ran out 40 point winners and stayed alive in the premiership race.
The entire back 6 of the Saints stood up and played brilliantly, led by Jono Elphick and Joe Kimmince. Kimmince was given the job of keeping leading goal scorer Tim Cooper quiet and he did exactly that, allowing him his lowest return all season of just 3 goals. Chris Schneider continued his fine rise to AFL player was a solid game down back, whilst Leigh Turner was very strong in the ruck winning hitouts at will. Stew Walker proved his late season form was only getting better, being involved in numerous attacking raids whilst Justin Pay was again strong in the middle.
The Saints now prepare for the Nomads in Armidale yet again for a chance to play the Kangaroos in the 2011 TAFL Grand Final.
Last Modified on 05/09/2011 11:28