Major Semi Final: Inverell Saints 13.11.89 def New England Nomads 10.9.69 at Bellevue Oval
The Saints have booked their place in a sixth consecutive TAFL Grand Final with a hard fought 20 point victory over the Nomads in Armidale. The Saints led at every change, but the game was a pulsating affair, with both sides taking control of the action for large periods at a time. A strong westerly wind threatened to ruin what was a classic semi final match-up but both teams displayed remarkable skills in the tough conditions.
In the early going, it was the Nomads that controlled the play, kicking the first two goals for the match and looked threatening early. The Saints settled and responded with another couple of their own, and at the first change they held a 4 point advantage. With the Saints kicking with the slight aid of the cross breeze, they took control during the second stanza. They managed four majors for the quarter, including one after the siren from Chris Whitton, to put themselves in front by 23 points at the long change. Needing to respond early in the quarter, the Nomads came out firing to start the third. They kicked the first two in quick succession and had the Saints on the back foot, before a brilliant goal from Saints coach Jason Gobbert wrested the momentum back the way of the boys from Inverell. They pushed the lead out to 27 points and looked winners, before the Nomads again responded and finished the quarter with the last three goals to get the margin back to 8 points with a huge quarter to play. The early goal in the quarter was going to be a bug one, and when Shaun Cusack slotted a beauty from the arc, the Nomads were full of running. However, the Saints settled and got two goals from Griffiths Medallist Mike Gould in the last quarter, the second of which sealed the win with minutes to play. The final margin of 20 points sees the Saints earn the right to host the Grand Final on September 1st, and their fourth Inverell Grand Final since 2007. For the victors, Gobbert finished with 4 majors, while Nick Baird chipped in 3. Gould was their best across half forward, with Joe Kimmince and Matt Harrison also pivotal. For the Nomads, Ash Cruikshank finished with 3 goals, while Weston Whitby was instrumental in their third quarter comeback. David Graan and Benji Julien also had strong days.
The Saints will now have the weekend off and will face the winner of next week’s Preliminary Final. The Nomads will head into that Prelim with a second chance in this finals series.
Minor Semi Final: Tamworth Kangaroos 19.15.129 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 12.4.76 at Number One Oval
The reigning premier Kangaroos stayed alive in the 2012 Premiership race with a 53 point demolition of the Bulldogs in Tamworth. The match was a carbon copy of their clash a fortnight earlier, with the Roos getting the jump on the Dogs early and cruised to victory just as they did in Round 16.
The Dogs would have had that clash at the fore -front on their minds entering this match and knew they would have needed to improve upon their start from that clash. That didn’t quite materialise, with the Roos getting out to a 19 point lead at the first change. If the Dogs were encouraged with that start, that optimism would have quickly evaporated as the Roos took total control in the second quarter. The Roos went on a roll, kicking seven goals for the period, whilst the Dogs could only manage two for themselves. The margin at halftime had extended to 55 points and Tim Cotter would have been very pleased with his men as they headed into the third term. Needing to lift, the Dogs gave themselves a sniff of a comeback kicking a couple of early goals to start the term. They managed six goals for the quarter to the Roos four, and brought the margin back to 42 points with a quarter to go. Just like good teams do, the Roos settled in the final quarter and ground out the win and set themselves up in yet another Preliminary Final, winning by 53 points. Matthew Hodge was instrumental, kicking six goals in a strong performance. Ryan Painter and Cameron Douglas were also important in a balanced team effort. For the Dogs, Chris Gee and Scott Hardy each kicked 4 goals, with Josh Hack, Andrew George and Matt Pengilly having strong games.
The Roos will now head to Armidale to face the Nomads in the Preliminary Final, whilst the Dogs can start planning for the 2013 season.
Last Modified on 01/10/2012 10:19