Inverell Saints 10-11-71

IT was a devastating finish to the Tamworth AFL major semi-final for the Inverell Saints on Saturday.

The reigning premiers were unable to reproduce last year’s effort to host the grand final when the Tamworth Kangaroos dominated the game, winning by 31 points at Varley Oval.

The Saints still have hopes of winning the premiership again, only if they beat the New England Nomads this Saturday when they host the preliminary final.

Coach Dick Gleeson said the Roos were just too strong for an under-strength Inverell side.

“We knew the Roos were going to be a tough side to beat, but we didn’t realise how tough.

“They were just too good for us on the day, we had a lot of players pull out with the flu just before the game and if we were going to win we needed to be at the top of our game and Tamworth needed to be a bit off.

“Unfortunately on the day it was the other way round.”

The Saints had the first use of a strong wind and were not able to capitalise on this kicking 2 goals 5 behinds to the Kangaroos 3 goals 1 behind. When the Kangaroos got their chance with the wind they made every post a winner keeping the Saints goalless in the second term while piling on 6 goals themselves.

The Saints came back hard in the third quarter kicking the first 3 goals of the quarter in 5 minutes and the fourth goal for the quarter just 5 minutes later. At that point the Saints home crowd started to get involved believing the Saints were about to unleash their talent but the Kangaroos regrouped and kicked 4 goals in the last 6 minutes of the quarter to virtually put the game beyond doubt.

The Saints kicked the opening goal of last quarter and gave the crowd a flicker of hope but it was then that the Kangaroos put their foot down again and made sure they were not going to lose.

Gleeson said the Saints need to have a good look at their game before facing the New England Nomads at home this weekend.