Game 1: Tamworth Swans v Narrabri Eagles.
This match may appear to hold more value for the Eagles than the Swans, with the westerners looking to stay in the hunt for a second chance and a home final after two straight losses. Those looking at the ladder though, and adding the square on the hypotenuse to the tangent of the reflex angle, will see that if the Swans were to do the improbable and gain a last gasp finals berth it would be at the Eagles' expense. A loss here will without doubt clear the red and white diaries for September, so they will have some motivation to instill some pride back into their season. The Drum does not think there is much shame in the Eagles' defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs last week, but coming off a comprehensive demolition against the Nomads they might be down in confidence. The amount of scoring chances Gunnedah wasted to still comfortably put the Eagles to bed might also be cause for alarm. The Swans efforts have been good in recent times, close in four losses on the trot against the four best form teams in the League. They seem to be knocking on the door to get their second win. The Eagles have a good recent record against the Swans, but The Drum is the hosts in this have their foot on the till and they will get the job done finally.
The Drum: Swans by four goals.
Game 2: Muswellbrook Cats v New England Nomads.
The Drum is not sure what to say of the Cats. Having shown some promise and delivered with their first win in some time earlier this year, they have disappointed since and as expected were routed by the League-leading Kangaroos last week. After rolling the Roos, the Nomads ripped the Eagles apart a fortnight ago to be the League's Emma Watson - having always caught the eye, they've finally come of age and are okay to get all excited about. The Nomads have had a week off, and with the students on holidays The Drum just has some reservations about the side that might make the trip south here. If the Cats can get back to their best they might be some show in the circumstances, but The Drum sacked them a few weeks ago and is not prepared to get back on board here. It might take the Nomads a little while to get on top of the Cats, but it will be bows and arrows against the lightning.
The Drum: Nomads by eight goals.
Game 3: Gunnedah Bulldogs v Tamworth Kangaroos.
This is a great test for the Bulldogs, and one way or the other Peter Chapman will know at 5pm on Saturday if his Dogs are a real threat this year or not. They have been in fine form, putting away two unshabby opponents in the last fortnight after giving away good leads at quarter time. They might not be able to afford to nap through the first twenty-five here against the top of the pops Kangaroos, who have swept all but one before them this year. They were clinical last week against the Cats, and with some injury concerns to see Cameron Douglas step up to kick eleven must have Tim Cotter giggling like a school girl. The Drum has heard some whispers that the Roos are wary of this match, as they will go in down some key men and they are respectful of how the Dogs have been going. The Drum has some time for the Bulldogs, and this might present their best chance in some time of knocking the Roos off. They should have a height advantage across the park, and playing on home soil at Wolsley should suit them further. But The Drum is still thinking the Roos might have just too much sparkle over the four quarters and will punish the Dogs for any shortcomings better than the Swans and Eagles were able to of late.
The Drum: Kangaroos by three goals.
Last Modified on 14/07/2011 13:17