Three-time back-to-back premiers, the Nomads will be out to keep their unbeaten season streak alive in Inverell today and, with two of the Saints’ goal kickers out of action, Saints coach Dick Gleeson believes they have a good chance.

“We haven’t figured out how to beat them yet,” Gleeson said.

“I think in the past four or five seasons we haven’t got within 80 points of them often.” 

The Saints aren’t the only ones. This season alone, only two sides have got within 100 points of them.

 Narrabri were beaten by 61 points in round eight just two weeks after the Tamworth Roos lost by ten points in a replay of last year’s final.

The New England side have even put a 258-point beating on Moree this season as well as plenty of other blow-out results.

Despite all that and missing Mike Gould and Justin Pay, Gleeson can still see a silver lining to the match-up and hasn’t abandoned hope of an upset today or later in the season.

“We are going in thinking that they are beatable,” Gleeson said.

“We won’t stack the backline or anything, just play man on man and see where we end up.” 

“Playing the top teams is the best way to find out our strengths and weaknesses.” 

The Saints are a young side this season, with up to eight players having their first year in the sport, and the coach has been watching a marked improvement in both individual and team performance with every match.

The Saints are sitting clear second with only one loss to their name, a round six 103- point loss to the Nomads, and with plenty more football to play before the finals, the coach has high hopes.

“They are improving every game and have youth on their side. 

“Finals are won in September, not yet.” 

“We just have to keep improving and look for a double shot at the finals and see what happens then.” 

There are six rounds remaining before the finals kick off at the end of August.