Match One: Tamworth Kangaroos v New England Nomads at Number One Oval Saturday 1pm
The first match of the weekend is definitely the match of the round. The league leading Nomads travel to Tamworth to play the third placed Roos in a crucial clash that will go a long way to gaining the upper hand come finals time. The Roos are still with a chance to take back second spot on the TAFL, but must win this weekend or face that propsect being taken out of their own hands. The Nomads need a victory to get some momentum back following a few weeks of stop-start footy and a weekend off next weekend.
The winner of this clash will take plenty forward to the finals. The motivation for the Nomads is that they have suffered their only defeat all season at the hands of the Roos so there's plenty of motivation for them. The Roos will take confidence from that win into this clash, and will fancy their chances of catching the league leaders napping.
TAFL Tipster - The Nomads in a close one, 4 points
Match Two: Gunnedah Bulldogs v Inverell Saints at Wolseley Oval Saturday 2pm
The second match of the weekend sees a tricky proposition for the second placed Saints as they travel to Gunnedah in a clash that has thrown up some curve balls in the past. The Dogs will be keen to get back on the paddock this weekend, following a wash out and then an untimely forfeit last weekend when they had insufficient numbers at the team meeting point last Saturday morning. It would have been disappointing for coach Scott Hardy who has carried his team all season only to be left short on Saturday morning.
The Saints hit the road for the second time this week and will play their 3rd game in 7 days. There was a big turn around in their two clashes against the Swans and only a Mike Gould goal in the closing minutes was enough for them to get the points on Tuesday night. That win got them back into second spot on the ladder and a win here puts them in the pole position for the double chance in the finals.
The Saints have struggled in Gunnedah over the years and will be travel weary this weekend. It's a big ask, but if the Dogs put their best side on the paddock they are a real chance here.
TAFL Tipster - Saints by 4 goals
Match Three: Tamworth Swans v Muswellbrook Cats at Number One Oval Saturday 3pm
The final match of the weekend is the second leg of the Tamworth double header and sees the Swans hosting the Cats. The boys from Muswellbrook seem destined for their first finals appearance since 2007 and will be very keen to take some winning momentum into the finals being that this is their final hitout before the finals.
The Swans have battled the Saints twice this week and turned around an 80 point loss in Inverell to almost snatch defeat on Tuesday night. They showed that night that they have the cattle to make an impact in the competition but they need to produce another effort akin to that with a 4 day back up. They should take confidence from the clash and will give themselves a big chance of getting that elusive first win for 2013.
This should be a great match and should rounf out a good weekend of footy.
TAFL Tipster - The Cats by 1 point
Last Modified on 02/08/2013 11:29