Game One: New England Nomads v Gunnedah Bulldogs at Bellevue Oval
The first match this weekend sees two teams that will take varying forms of confidence into the battle. The Nomads must be floating on cloud nine after back to back comprehensive wins at home, the latest of which was a 52-point drubbing of the reigning premier Kangaroos. Tom Granleese’s side are playing an entertaining brand of footy at the moment, and after putting behind them a disappointing Round 1 loss, they are setting themselves up for yet another competitive season. Their strength has long been up front, and with new signing Simon Stubbs joining spearheads Dave Richards and Weston Whitby, their forward line is about as hard to contain as any in the TAFL. This could prove problematic for the travelling Dogs, but they must be filled with some confidence following last week’s tough loss in Tamworth to the Swans. They have shown themselves to be very competitive across the first 3 weeks, yet have no reward for their hard work. New coach Errol Lather is having to make dressing room introductions before he names his side each week, but as the year goes on, these Dogs will eventually learn his game plan as well as their teammate’s names. Their Narrabri recruits have been amongst their best each week, with Jesse Dixon, Shane Murphy and Dan Hughes consistently among the Dog’s best. With the always strong combination of Andrew George and Paul Brown in the midfield, the boys from Gunnedah have the making of a strong outfit this year. It will be a matter of when, not if, they start pushing teams consistently, and if the Nomads come with anything less than their best effort, it could well be this week. This match could well come down to how each team shapes up. The Nomads will enjoy a third consecutive game at home, while the Dogs will travel for the third time in 4 weeks. Keeping in mind that the Saints are the only team to win away from home, it’s hard to tip against the Nomads here.
TAFL Tipster – Noamds by 4 goals
Game Two: Inverell Saints v Tamworth Swans at Varley Oval
There’s not a much tougher trip in the TAFL then the hike north to tackle the Saints in the Sapphire City. Their record at Varley is impressive, with just one loss in the past two seasons at home. However, if there’s any team that knows how to win in Inverell, it’s the Swans. They were triumphant in the 2009 decider there, as well as earlier that season. In their subsequent expeditions, they have travelled understrength and have suffered badly. Much will depend upon how they step onto the field this Saturday as to the outcome of this one. Rick Watt will be urging his veteran group to get around his young stars and show them how it’s done. Gavin Knee, Damien Wendt, Josh McKenzie, Dean Finlay and Andrew Donahue have all been around long enough to experience success in Inverell and will be pivotal this weekend. Their young brigade, led by Jordan Sharpe, will enjoy the wide expanses of Varley and may provide the much needed drive on the flanks for the Swans in this one. The Saints are riding a wave of early success and confidence, thanks largely to two big away victories in the last two weeks. Their demolition of the Cats last week was nothing short of clinical, and their last quarters so far this year have been dominant. The preseason fitness regime of Coach Jason Gobbert is proving a masterstroke early in the season, and the Saints will enjoy the fact they won’t need to travel 5 hours to play this weekend. Their forward line has yielded the most points in the TAFL this season, spearheaded by Mike Gould. Chris Whitton should return this week and if Gobbert goes forward, their aren’t too many full backs around that can nullify his height and size.
As was stated above, the Swans hold little fear of the trip north, and will keen to push the Saints here. The boys from Inverell have not faced a close match so far this season, and if the Swans get in under their skin, last week’s thriller may steel the boys from Tamworth. Much will depend of what 18 step onto the field, but this one will be close.
TAFL Tipster – Just because they are at home, the Saints by 3 goals
NB – The Cats and Roos will play their deferred match in Round 6 on May 19th.
Last Modified on 01/05/2012 14:14