TAMWORTH Kangaroos might have had a big win over Narrabri Eagles in their Tamworth AFL clash at No 1 Oval on Saturday but it didn’t compare with the other two TAFL matches.
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The Roos kicked 24.18 162 to Narrabri Eagles’ 13.8 86 and had to play the game out against a resolute Eagles outfit which never stopped.
However reigning champions New England Nomads were in merciless form in Armidale, kicking 35.15 225 to the Tamworth Swans’ 3.7 25 and a 200-point win.
At Gunnedah the home side Bulldogs also copped a flogging when the Inverell Saints booted 30.22 202 to the home side’s 6.5 41.
Michael Gould kicked eight and Chris Whitton seven goals in the big Saints success.
Gould and Whitton were amongst the Saints’ best along with Hayden Chappel and Luke Selig.
The Bulldogs were best served by captain-coach John Woolaston, Jake Vigor, Andy Mack and Luke Curgenven, with Matt Wykniet and Ben Middlebrook both kicking two goals apiece.
At Armidale’s Bellevue Oval, Dave Richards led the way for the Nomads, kicking eight goals in the 200-point thrashing.
Richards, Weston Whitby, Jon Freund and Jonathon Frost were among the Nomads’ best while the Swans had just three goalkickers, with club stalwarts Gavin Knee and Josh McKenzie among their best.
At No 1 Oval, Dean Hoy and Matt Hodge both kicked six goals apiece for the Roos in their 76-point win over the Eagles.
Rhett Graham also chipped in with four and Daniel Leon three to ensure the Brett Douglas-coached side kept pace with the unbeaten Nomads and Saints.
Hoy and Hodge were among the Roos’ best with Luke Robinson, Daniel Johnson and ruckman Carl Frazier.
Frazier’s battle with Eagle ruckman Thomas Craig was a good one too.
Craig also kicked two of his side’s goals while Todd Fagan posted five and captain coach Todd Dunn three.
Dunn believes his side has much promise, returning from a few years of non-play.
“I’ve got good numbers and plenty to work with,” Dunn said.
He has a good blend of talented young players and a few experienced older players.
Dylan Segundo, Julio Skuse, Mark Barrow and Shane Murphy all shone at various stages, with Fagan and Dunn providing some straight kicking.
Douglas also believes his Roos have a lot more improvement in them after two good wins.
“It’s good to see us putting into practice what we’ve been training for.”
He was particularly impressed by the quickness of Graham and Leon, two of his younger players who will be key men this season.