Match One: Tamworth Swans v Tamworth Kangaroos at Number One Oval
Showdown 2 for the Billy Holder Cup of 2012 takes place this Saturday at Number One Oval, and both teams will be desperate to get the W here. The Swans are coming off a loss to the rampant Nomads last week, and were totally outplayed after getting off to a wasteful start. If they allow that to happen here this weekend, it could be another long day for the boys in Red and White. They are being well served by some of the veterans on the playing list, but seem to be struggling with an avenue to goal of late. Only Gav Knee seems to be able to get a big bag, and some of the tall targets up front will need to stand up here. Rick Watt will again rely on his midfield to provide the push, with Damien Wendt and Dean Finlay strong all year. The Roos come into this clash riding a three game winning streak, which included a final quarter surge over the Saints last weekend. They are finally getting back to full strength, but it’s worth noting they won last week without joint Gilles Medallist Matthew Hodge. Their midfield was outstanding, led by youngsters Alex Hudson and Lachlan Moloney. The young guns will look to put the Swans on the back foot with their pace and energy early and capitalise on some tiring legs late.
It’s hard to see anything but a Roos win here, but these local derbies do throw up the occasional curve ball. One cannot bank on that here.
TAFL Tipster – Roos by 59 points
Match Two: Inverell Saints v Gunnedah Bulldogs at Wolseley Oval
The old saying is that a week is a long time in football. Well, for these clubs, a fortnight is proving even longer. Two matches back, many pundits were wondering where the Saints were going to hoist their 2012 Premiership banner after a dominant start to the season. One cannot say the same anymore. Consecutive losses to the Nomads and Roos sees the depleted Saints showing some weaknesses and just maybe the resurgent Dogs can expose that this weekend. Leigh Turner has been outstanding in the middle so far for Inverell, but his support cast as been sketchy at best in the past fortnight. It’s possible the Saints got a little a head of themselves early in the season, and are now stuck in a fierce battle to retain a top 2 spot. Jason Gobbert will be laying down the law this week to his troops, and one message may well be about playing team footy. The Dogs come into this one on the back of their first win in 2012, and what a win it was! They totally controlled the Cats from start to finish, and must have been happy with their performance. Chris Gee has stood up for them in attack this year, and has already kicked a bag against the Saints this season. His presence up front could be a factor here. On previous form, it’s hard to tip the Dogs here, but they travelled light on last season and almost snatched an unlikely victory. They are not out of this one, but the Saints rarely lose at home.
TAFL Tipster – Saints by 2 goals
Muswellbrook Cats v New England Nomads at Werriman Field
The Cats will return to Werriman to face the ladder leading Nomads in what is a closer match than it appears on paper. In reality it’s 1st vs 5th, but the Nomads not only head out of Armidale for the first time since Round 1, but they head all the way to Muswellbrook to do so. The Cats were comprehensibly beaten last week, and one does wonder whether or not the decision to recruit Akermanis was a benefit or an out and out distraction. They need to get back on track here, if only to get some momentum headed towards the second half of the season. They were playing some good footy just a couple of weeks ago, and need to reproduce that this weekend. The Nomads are riding a wave of confidence, but have not won away from home yet this season. The only teams that have managed that feat this year are the Roos and the Saints. If they want to assert their authority on the competition, they need a good win here. Dave Richards was back to his attacking best last week, and with Simon Stubbs they currently form the best big/small combination in the league. A haul from either one of those two will result in a win for the Nomads here.
TAFL Tipster – Nomads by 28 points
Last Modified on 29/05/2012 17:23