Preliminary Final ends in a major upset

Senior Men

The Senior Men’s Preliminary Final between the Minor Premiers, Inverell Saints, and New England Nomads was an absolutely cracking game of footy.

The margin was always close but, in the end, it was the Nomads who held on to progress through to the Grand Final.  However, Nomads coach James Treweeke says there is still room for improvement. “We didn’t play as well as we could have and I was a little disappointed with some aspects.”

Treweeke admits though from a viewer perspective “it was probably one of the best games of footy I have been a part of in my four years here in the North West.  It was stressful to watch but shows that the League is improving and can go a long way.”

Inverell Saints Coach, Justin Pay admits his side “were beaten by a better side on the day”.  He paid tribute to a gutsy performance “It was a very brave effort from a number of our players that played with significant injuries. Disappointing end to a very promising season, but the 22 blokes that played on Saturday gave 100% effort and that’s all a coach can ask for.”

Nomads won 11.10.76 to Saints 9.11.65 and will face the flag favourites Gunnedah Bulldogs in Saturday’s Grand Final.

Women

The clash of the two Tamworth women’s teams was a close affair all day.

With plenty of spirit in the game Tamworth Kangaroos Vice Captain Em Southwell said “The Roo girls relished the opportunity to settle some debts with the cross town rivals. I think the team really benefited from having the extra game under their belt. It gave more experience to the new girls that we have recruited in the latter part of the year. The new girls have really stepped it up.”

Tamworth Swans coach Andrew Donahue was pleased with his team’s effort saying “The girls fought it out with pure grit and will be hungry for more next season”.

The Kangaroos face the undefeated Inverell Saints in Saturday’s Grand Final.

Under 17s

The Under 17 match produced the big margin of the day with a well drilled Moree Suns handing out a 135 point thumping to the Tamworth Roosters.  Suns coach Shane Hadley says he “is pleased to make it to the Grand Final and hopes to have a great outcome.”

The Suns will meet the Inverell Saints team in the Grand Final on Saturday.  This will be the fourth time the two teams have faced off in as many years – with the Saints holding the balance of two flags to the Suns’ one.

Under 14s

The Under 14 match didn’t disappoint.

The Glen Innes Celts grabbed a narrow lead in the last quarter and managed to hold off a very determined Tamworth Roosters. Celts coach Aaron Harvey said that it would be “a very exciting week ahead for the kids and club. We’re all looking forward to Saturday.”

Roosters coach Ben Jaffery is proud of his young team “We came to Inverell for a Super Sunday at the start of the year and didn’t win a game, to come within a few points of a Grand Final is massive. They all played well.”  Jaffery paid tribute to the Celts “Huge congratulations to the Celts, too. A grand final in their maiden year! Super exciting. ”

The Celts will meet minor premiers Inverell Saints in Saturday’s Grand Final with both teams gunning to become the first Premier in this age group in AFL North West NSW history.

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