TAFL gears up for season
From the Armidale Express (19/04/2006)
The much anticipated Tamworth AFL season kicks off this weekend with the welcome additions of under 16s and Reserve grade.
The under 16s will provide a much needed pathway for the development of junior players and the reserve grade competition will give clubs an opportunity to give their new recruits some game time.
In the round of matches this weekend, the game of the round will be played at Tamworth’s number one oval when the Swans take on the New England Nomads.
The Swans are still smarting after last year’s grand final loss and although they already have the TAFL pre-season win under their belt will be keen to get this season off to a flying start.
The Swans will not settle for anything less than avenging last years grand final loss.
They won’t have it all their own way. The previous premiers, the Nomads, are rebuilding strongly after missing the finals last year for the first time in several seasons.
While they will miss Jonathon Sargeant, who has moved to the Gold Coast, the Nomads have had a renewed interest in their club during the off season and are expected to be one of the competition front runners this year.
In other matches the Gunnedah Bulldogs take on Tamworth Kangaroos in Gunnedah in a game that should provide a good indication of each side’s potential for 2006 and in Narrabri the Eagles take on the Inverell Saints.
The Eagles were wooden spooners in 2005 and will be looking for a big improvement in 2006.
The Inverell Saints took the competition by storm last season and surprised everyone by making the semi-finals in their first season.
The club will be looking to build on that success and it will be interesting to see if last year was just a ‘honeymoon period’ or whether the club can go to the next level.
Disko’s fearless footy tips for round one are:
The Tamworth Kangaroos, Tamworth Swans and Inverell Saints.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express.
