Match One: New England Nomads 19.19.133 def Tamworth Kangaroos 10.8.68 at Number One Oval
The Nomad juggernaut rolled on Saturday with a clinical disposal of the Kangaroos in Tamworth. Leading at every change, the Nomads put the Roos to the sword after quarter time to record an impressive 65 point win and take a stranglehold on top spot on the TAFL ladder. While the Roos were gallant to the final siren, they were no match across the field for the Nomads and must now find a way to get back into the winners circle following their second straight loss.
The match started in warm conditions and the attack on the footy was just as hot. Both clubs went goal for goal early in the piece, with the Roos taking the early ascendency through the middle. However, late goals to the Nomads saw them take an 8 point first quarter lead, despite yet again kicking poorly in front of goals.
The second term was when the Nomads really went to town. They totally dominated general play and were rolling forward with ease. The Roos had no answers to the onslaught however they managed a goal themselves for the quarter. But the Nomads kicked 7 in the stanza and had extended their lead to 45 points at the long change.
Needing to get themselves back in the contest, the Roos tightened up their defence in the third quarter and stemmed the flow of running from the Nomads. After kicking a couple of goals, the Roos had a sniff of a comeback, however that was quickly extinguished by the Nomads who slotted 3 majors themselves to open up the margin at the last change to 52 points.
The last quarter was damage control for both clubs, with the match all but over. The match opened up a little again in the last 25 minutes, with the Nomads adding another 5 goals to their tally. The margin was pushed out 65 points at the final siren, with the Nomads earning their 4th straight win to start the season and the Roos falling to 2 wins and 2 losses.
For the victors, new recruit Jed Ellis-Cluff was outstanding up front with 7 majors in a best on field performance. He was able supported by James Boatfield who finished with 6 goals in another strong performance. Benji Julien was strong across half back and Hoani Morrell was also impressive.
For the Roos, evergreen Dan Overeem was their leading goal kicker with 3 and new recruit Dean Hoy also strong with 2 goals. Their best were Brad Rees, Luke Robinson and Ian Clement.
The Nomads will head home next week to welcome the Dogs while the Roos will have a home game against the Cats.
Match Two: Inverell Saints 22.14.146 def Gunnedah Bulldogs 11.11.77 at Wolseley Oval
The Saints became the first team to knock off the Bulldogs at home this season with an impressive 69 point win on Saturday afternoon. The Saints kicked away with the aid of a strong breeze in the first quarter and were never headed in a warning to the Nomads that this season’s title is far from decided.
In old fashioned terms, the Saints started the match with the aid of a 4 goal breeze and took full advantage early on. They dominated possession out of the middle and provided excellent service to their forwards, leaving the Dogs defence under a mountain of pressure. The Dogs managed to get one back against the run of play, however the first quarter was all Inverell as they opened up a 42 point lead at the first change.
Needing to lift, the Dogs were the better team during the second stanza. They kicked 3 early goals in the quarter and got themselves right back into the contest on the back of their midfield runners. However, the Saints settled late and managed to kick a couple of momentum sapping goals late in the half before a goal to Chris Gee right on the half time siren got the Dogs within 28 points at the long change.
The Dogs needed to slow the Saints right down in the third quarter and did that for the first 10 minutes of the stanza. However, a clinical 10 minute burst by the Saints all but put the game to bed as they pile on 5 straight goals to open up a commanding lead. Again the Dogs kicked a goal right on the siren to give them some hope, however the Saints lead was out to 58 points with a quarter to go.
The final 25 minutes of this match became something of a shootout as both teams started to tire in the warm conditions. The sting had largely gone out of the contest and both forward lines opened right up. The Dogs managed 5 goals for the quarter, but conceded 7 to the Saints as the final margin was pushed beyond 10 goals.
For the Saints, Matt King showed some excellent crumbing skills to snag 5 majors with Mike Gould slotting 4. They had many good contributors across the park but were best served by Hamish Bird, Jono Elphick and Justin Pay. For the Dogs, Chris Gee finished with 4 majors, with Jake Vigor, Alistair Hillard and Andrew Pratt their best.
The Saints now return home to face the Swans next week while the Dogs will make the trip to Armidale to face the Nomads.
Match Three: Muswellbrook Cats 17.4.106 def Tamworth Swans 16.8.104 at Number One Oval
The final match of the weekend was clearly the best as the Cats registered their first win of the 2013 season with a thrilling 2 point victory over the Swans in Tamworth on Saturday afternoon. The two teams battled all day and were close at every change. At one point the Swans had opened up a 20 point lead, but the Cats refused to surrender and kicked a goal with just 90 seconds left on the clock to claim a memorable victory.
Both teams started the match desperate to register their first win and it was the Swans who had the better of the running in the first quarter. They were able to put more pressure on the Cats defence and finished off well in front of goal, however the Cats were very efficient going forward making full use of forays into the forward 50. The Swans held onto an 8 point advantage at the first change with the match still well and truly in the balance.
The second quarter was very similar to the first, however the Cats started to slowly assert themselves around the field. Being led by Captain Brian Martin, they had their lion’s share of ball from the middle and were again efficient in front of the big sticks. The Swans were by no means out of the contest and managed another 3 majors of their own to stay within 3 points at the long change.
The third quarter was arguably one of the best quarters in the history of the TAFL. Both teams continued to push forward relentlessly and each forward line was rewarded for hard leading. Amazingly, both teams kicked 6 goals straight for the term to leave the margin still at 3 points with a quarter to go. However, the momentum of the quarter ebbed and flowed and at one point the Swans looked to have taken control leading by 20 points. But the Cats weren’t to be outdone and fought back to lead with a quarter to go.
The last quarter was a classic arm wrestle between the two sides. Just when it looked as if one team had the upper hand, the other fought back valiantly. However, with just 2 minutes left on the clock, the Swans clung desperately to a four point lead. It was then Jackson Bower kicked truly to give his Cats the lead for good with just 90 seconds left on the clock. The final siren signalled celebration for the Cats and heart break for the Swans in what was certainly the game of 2013 so far.
For the Cats, veteran Ken Garland was superb with 7 majors, with ruckman Cameron Davis, Martin and Bower their best players. Proving that it was a day for the old guard, Paul Tapper kicked 6 for the Swans to be amongst their best, with Dane Miller and Josh Moore also strong.
The Swans will now head north to battle the Saints, while the Cats head back to Tamworth to face the Roos.
Last Modified on 06/05/2013 11:12