The Tamworth Swans have snuck into the AFL North West top four but coach Paul Kelly isn’t daring to dream of a finals berth just yet.
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The Swans were rooted to the bottom of the ladder in round 10 but they have since sprouted wings to win three from four to sit in fourth – one win in front of the Tamworth Kangaroos.
The form is encouraging and the mood in camp is filled with confidence but with three matches remaining, Kelly said there’s still plenty of work to be done.
“I think 2010 was last time we made finals but we’re not in there yet,” he said.
“We’ve still got some big games. We’ve just gotta go week by week and hopefully things go our way.”
The Swans’ last-start 235-point drubbing of an under-strength Moree outfit bodes well for the side’s for and against.
Liam Dunn was adjudged the Swans’ best with the fullback getting a rare run up forward to kick five goals.
Joseph Doherty kicked seven goals and Nathan Keam grabbed six while Ross Fraser also scored five majors in the win.
However, the Kangaroos for and against percentage is still superior to the Swans’ but was cut from a 30 per cent gap to a 7.5 per cent gap after the weekend’s matches.
The Swans would rather it not come down to for and against.
A win this weekend against New England would see the Swans take a huge step towards a finals berth. Kelly believed it would be tough but also that his side could match the Nomads.
“Two weeks ago against Gunnedah, we lost the first quarter but we were still really good,” Kelly said.
“We played really well against a top quality team and I think we can do that again against Armidale.
“If they don’t get off to too good a start and we’re still in it at three quarter time, I think we can really push them.”