THE Inverell Saints will play in their eighth straight Tamworth AFL grand final after accounting for old sparring partner the Tamworth Kangaroos 12-15-87 to 10-9-69 at Varley Oval yesterday.
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The Saints kicked the first and last goal in the preliminary final but it wasn’t all smooth sailing in the middle after the Roos mounted a third-quarter comeback.
The home side jumped out to a 20-point lead, dominating the midfield early to feed the forwards some good ball.
A slow second quarter saw them add another ten to the lead to go into halftime up 49-29.
The third quarter saw the Roos go back to their game plan, using their speed men out wide to get the ball forward.
With the Saints defence focused on goal machine Matt Hodge, Dan Overeem found some space to kick six for the match.
Saints coach Nick Baird said that ill discipline almost cost them the lead in the third quarter.
“We were out by 26 or 27 and then let them kick four in a row to get back within four points,” Baird said.
“We lost our way a bit but managed to rally.”
Tamworth exploded into the final quarter, kicking the first two, before the Saints responded in kind by kicking the final three of the match to seal a third straight grand final at Bellevue Oval.
Baird said Chris Schneider was outstanding in the ruck and helped drag the side out of its second-half slump.
“Tom Williams was also really good in the midfield but it was our defence that won it,” Baird said.
“The whole back six were excellent.”
The Saints’ defensive line once again functioned like a well-drilled collective unit at times, clearing with confidence and servicing the midfield and flanks.
“All 22 really contributed today,” Baird said.
“But it is out of the frying pan and into the fire now I suppose.”
In the decider they will play will play the New England Nomads who pulled the Saints apart in the major semi final a week ago, although Baird took positives from the loss.
“We learnt a lot in that game,” Baird said.
“We need to play our own game and not fall into the trap of playing Nomads’ football again.”
The Saints are the only side to have beaten the premiers in two seasons, and only once, in the last round.
“We know we can do it but it is not just going to happen,” Baird said.
In ten years of existence, the Saints have played in seven grand finals but only taken the silverware in two.
