The Saints marched on, while the Eagles soared and the Bulldogs barked in an intriguing round of AFL North West action on Saturday.
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Narrabri sprung the surprise of the round beating the New England Nomads 10.23-83 to 10.12-72 in Narrabri.
The Eagles set up only their second win of the season in the third quarter, out-scoring the Nomads four goals to two to turn a three-point deficit into a nine-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Daniel Hughes booted four for the victors and Tom Carberry three, while Harry Wakefield, Nick Locke and Liam Cudmore kicked three apiece for the Nomads.
In Gunnedah, Mark Ewington (eight) and Jacob Spackman (seven) led the charge as the Bulldogs produced a masterclass to end the Tamworth Swans’ run.
The premiers set the tone for their 30.21-201 to 6.4-40 demolition with a 10 goal first term.
The Saints were the odd one out winning away.
After a tight first quarter with only two points separating them and the Tamworth Kangaroos, the Saints came out firing in the second kicking nine goals for the term for a 48 point lead at half-time.
“We felt we a little bit loose in accountability in the first quarter and talk,” Saints’ Hayden Chappel said.
“Going into the second quarter the talk lifted and that gave more accountability.”
“We were able to lock the footy in our forward line for extended periods of time keeping the pressure on.”
He felt some extra legs on the bench also helped as the game wore on.
Michael Gould and Marli Gobbert were dynamic up front.
Gobbert – the son of stalwart, and current president Jason, is thriving making the jump from junior to senior footy.
“Playing as a forward pocket, he might he even be leading our goal-kicking at the moment,” Chappel said.
“And Tyler Desborough running through the middle got a lot of contested possessions.”
It still wasn’t quite a four-quarter effort but Chappel said they are certainly on the right track, although there is still plenty to work on.
The first in a run of four away games, the win has given them a lot of confidence.
“An away win is always a good win, especially over Tamworth,” Chappel said.
He can only recall two or three in the five years he’s been involved with the Saints.
Dan Overeem was the Kangaroos’ best in front of goal with six.
