Round 4: Nomads scrape home
The Nomads took the lead with the last kick of the match at Inverell to win 11.12 (78) to the Saints 10.16 (76). Way too much excitement.
The high quality football of last week’s match with the Muswellbrook Cats was only seen in patches last night, with Dylan McGrath and John Mahy providing a lot of the creativity linking with the forwards. In between the outbreaks of flowing football, the Nomads got stuck in and battled with the physically imposing Saints side.
Generally, the Nomads started quarters strongly before the Saints fought back. The Nomads lead at each change before being forced onto the back foot in the final ten minutes of the match. The Saints then grabbed a four point lead before the final drama.
A ball-up within the Saints defensive 50 resulted in a free kick for shepherding the ruckman (Tom Hunt) out of the ruck. A disgruntled Saint got in the face of the umpire and a 50 metre penalty was awarded putting Tom Hunt smack in front of goal. Easy. Or not. Tom failed to kick the ball over the player on the mark. Much anguish among the Nomads until they realised that the blocking defender had been judged to have stepped over the mark. Meanwhile, the hooter had sounded. Tom Hunt made no mistake with his second attempt, leaving the Nomads to celebrate while the Saints players and supporters complained to the umpires and anyone else within earshot.
While they got the result, the Nomads will have plenty to work on in training before they play the Kangaroos at Bellevue on May 27. Next week (May 20) is a free weekend for most of the TAFL players, with the TAFL City v Country match taking place at Tamworth’s No.1 Oval.
Sol Hanks scored 5 goals, putting in a good performance in the forward pocket, with some excellent crumbing around the full forward. The other goal scorers for the Nomads were Adrian Walsh (2), Ben Horne, Glen Northway, Gus McKenzie and Tom Hunt.
Sol Hanks, Ben Horne, John Mahy, Matt Maxwell and Dylan McGrath were the Nomads listed as the best on the night.
May 14th, 2006 at 9:40 pm
Nomads,
Congratulations on the win. I said at the jumper presentation night that this Nomad side had character and you have shown this to be true in your last two games. You have not put the head down but continued to fight on, thus turning two possible loses to a draw and a win. Also notice what happens when a player or team argues with the umpires. The umpires invariably award frees and 50 yard penalties against the complaining team. We are changing the umpires attitude to the Nomads this year. We must continue accept the decisions and just get on with the game. Well done Nomads from Bejing. Sol Hanks 5 goals, you champion. Brendan