The Nomads are back at home this week after the disappointment of last week's loss to the Saints. They will take on the equally disappointed Swans after their loss to the Cats for the second time this year. The Nomads were missing several regular players last week including the Pearce boys. With these players back and a stronger showing form Dave Richards and Weston Whitby the Swans could be in for a long afternoon. Hamish Ross was a beacon up forward for the Nomads last week and his good form should continue this week. I am not sure that the Swans will have a match up for him so he may just have a big return for the game. The same could be said for Whitby and Richards with the lack of ball movement into their forward line against the Saints it is no wonder they were held relativitly quite. The end of the year can't come quick enough for the Swans, it is one they will want to forget. But any team that has Damien Wendt and Gavin Knee in the midfield has got to be taken seriously. But they can only do so much and then it is up to the rest of their team mates to step up.
Prediction: The Nomads will be too strong for the struggling Swans here and win by 74 points.
The match of the round will be at No.1 Oval in Tamworth with the Kangaroos taking on the Saints. The Kangaroos kicked a huge score last week against the Eagles and that bodes well for them. However they did concede a big score as well and that will be a big concern for their Coach Tim Cotter. The Saints on the other hand kicked a big score against the Nomads but were able to prevent them from hitting the score board very often. The Saints had nine different goal kickers against the Nomads as did the Kangaroos against the Eagles. This game could very well be won by which ever side's backline stands up the best. At the moment you would have to think that that is the Saints and this will give them a slight edge. After the Kangaroos gave the Saints a touch up in Inverell earlier this year the Saints have shown a new resolve and are all fired up to return the favour to the Kangaroos. Both these teams have winners all over the ground and it will be a cracking match.
Prediction: Everything tells me not to tip against the Kangaroos. But if the Saints want gain second spot on the ladder they will have to win here or that chance will be gone. So with that in mind I am tipping the Saints by 9 points.
The last game of the round will held down at the Cattery in Muswellbrook. The fur will be flying as the Cats host the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have been the surprise packet of the season and will go into this game full of confidence. The only concern is that they have not played for three weeks and may not be match hardened. The Cats after coming off their second win of the year will be brimming with confidence and will go into the game knowing they can give this a real shake. The Bulldogs biggest concern all year has been their player numbers and they will need to take their best team to the Cattery. This game is also worthy of match of the round status if only for the fact that I think they will both be evenly matched. The Cats have found a good kid in young Beau Dixon and it would serve the Bulldogs well to treat him with respect or he may just surprise them.
Prediction: I have been burned a few times this year when I have tipped against the Bulldogs and the head tells me not to tip against them here. But I am a gluten for punishment and will tip the Cats by 16 points.
The Narrabri Eagles have the bye this weekend.
Last Modified on 30/07/2011 23:04