THE Saints will be marching into Armidale this afternoon as Inverell gets another crack at the New England Nomads at Bellevue Oval in the Tamworth AFL grand final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is the third time in a row this fixture has been at this ground between these teams and the Saints are looking to bash the Nomads out of the contest by playing a tough brand of football.
The Nomads have won both previous occasions, with the Saints desperate to improve their grand final-winning percentage.
After playing their way into seven straight grand finals, they have only drunk from the winner’s cup twice.
The Saints handed the Nomads their first defeat of the season in round 13 before the premiers exacted revenge in the semi-final with a 68-point thumping.
Saints coach Nick Baird said the side learnt some hard lessons from that game.
“The stark realisation that we just weren’t good enough,” Baird said.
“You can’t only kick five goals in a final.”
The Saints pulled up a bit sore after last week’s good win over old foes the Tamworth Roos for another shot at the champs.
“There are a few sore bodies,” Baird said.
“The lure of a grand final is an amazing healer.”
The Saints know they are outgunned in some areas but are backing their physicality instead to win the game.
“Since the club started ten years ago we have played hard- contested footy,” Baird said.
“We are going to go in hard and use our strength to win the contests.”
“Our intensity on the ball was 100 times better last week.”
Former premiership-winning captain, now full forward Chris Whitton, works as a barometer for the club.
When Whitten is in form and kicking goals, the team is in form and kicking goals.
Last week the enthusiastic clubman nailed three goals with some inspired play in the forward pocket.
“It is a good sign,” Baird said.
“Hopefully he can get some early goals and get us going.”
The Saints will need to starve the premiers of pill if they are any chance of raising the shield.
Nomads forward Dave Richards has been scintillating and loves the big games, kicking a straight six in the semi-final and eight in last year’s grand final.
“We can’t afford to give them any ball or let them get a start,” Baird said.
The captain is under no illusions about the odds of a premiership.
“We are going to have to be at our absolute best,” Baird said.
“If we are not, we will pay the ultimate price.”
Kick-off will be at 2pm.
