TAMWORTH Kangaroos could finish second on the Tamworth AFL ladder after they came from behind to beat the Inverell Saints, on the Saint's home ground, Varley Oval, last Saturday.
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With the Saints to play unbeaten New England Nomads this Saturday and the Roos to play Narrabri Eagles at No 1 Oval, in the second game of a double header also featuring Tamworth Swans and Gunnedah Bulldogs, the chance is there for the Roos to snare second, said coach Tony Bishop.
He was answering a few gentle questions form The Leader on Sunday, after his Roos had stunned the Saints Saturday.
Down by 10 at three quarter time, they responded well in the final term to kick three goals, holding the Saints to one, and winning the match by two points, 11.6 72 to 10.10 70.
"It was a cracker of a match," said Roos coach Tony Bishop, who might be retired, but still managed to boot one of the 11 goals.
"We rarely disappoint, us two," he said of tight and tense Saints and Roos battles.
"It was a pretty hard game, a quality game to be involved in. I've only said that once before this season and that was the home game against the Nomads."
He said there were battles all over the park too.
"Both forward lines are very dangerous and it became a battle of the midfield to see who could supply the forwards with first use of the ball," he said.
"Quinn (Brock), Leon (Daniel) and Johnson (Daniel) were great for us and the same with the Seligs and Tom Williams for them.
"It took us 98 minutes to get there, but we did it with a couple of minutes to spare.
"Brad Rees was great for us across half back. His leadership was pivotal.
“And Matty Hughes is a very coachable kid with talent too. He listens and plays to the game plan. He's also a very selfless player."
Bishop said the young forward's reward for his hard work has been nine goals in two games.
He's not the only young player excelling either as Josh Moore has found form playing out of position in the backline.
"Ben Evenis had probably his best game he's played for us."
Adrian Cox, Russell Brien, Beau Coles, Luke Selig, Chris Whitton and Jake Cannon all excelled for the Saints, who now tackle New England Nomads in Armidale this Saturday.
The Nomads are coming off a 248-point win, kicking 39 goals to the Moree Suns' one last Saturday.
Zac Economou led the way, the former Nomad captain-coach booting 14 goals.
He was outstanding along with current coach Jed Ellis-Cluff, who kicked seven goals, as well as Dave Richards (6), Clarence Barker, Matt Foley and Cameron Graham.
Rhys Smith booted the only goal for the Suns.
* Gavin Knee kicked five goals and Chris Wilson bagged four for the Swans as they overcame a slow first quarter to beat the Narrabri Eagles at Riverside on Saturday.
Daniel Hughes and Ben Maddern both kicked five for the Eagles.
THIS SATURDAY (Round 17): Tamworth Swans v Gunnedah Bulldogs (No 1 Oval, Tamworth), New England Nomads v Inverell Saints (Bellevue Oval, Armidale), Tamworth Kangaroos v Narrabri Eagles (No 1 Oval, Tamworth), Moree Suns bye.
