Nomads off on the right foot
By Matt McLennan (Armidale Express, 17/03/2008)
The New England Nomads are looking like they will be a force in the 2008 TAFL season after a strong performance in the Tablelands Cup preseason competition at the weekend.
The Nomads remained undefeated throughout the competition, after accounting for the other undefeated team, the Inverell Saints, in the final game.
Each match was played over two 15 minute halves, with a five minute break for halftime.
The Nomads came away with 5-2-32 to 3-6-24 victory to take the top spot in the competition.
That win followed three others, when they defeated Inverell’s namesake, the Sawtell Saints, Tamworth Swans and Nambucca Lions in the other matches of the day.
Nomads coach Ben Page said morale among the players is high after their cup glory.
“We’re very happy with how things went yesterday, it was a good result for the boys,†he told the Express yesterday.
Page said a number of players stood up throughout the day for his side.
“Rich Malone was our best and fairest on the day,†Page said.
“Weston Whitby also played well at full forward. He kicked a swag of goals.
“He has just returned from a season in Western Australia, and Glen Northway was our rock at fullback.â€
Page said his side’s form improved as the day went on.
“Our first game of the day was against the Tamworth Swans, and it was a close encounter. The boys were a bit rusty in their first game of the year,†Page said.
“It took them a while to gel, but we managed to get over the top of them.
“We easily accounted for Nambucca in the next game, by 56 points, so that was a bit of a hiding.
“There was also a pretty close game against Sawtell, we won that by a couple of goals.â€
The club’s ranks have been boosted this year by some new faces, who Page said performed well on Saturday.
“Going on some of the performances of the new players, I think things are looking good for the coming season,†Page said.
“We’ve got nine or 10 new players this year. The numbers we have are very good, we just need to build up our depth with a few extras now.â€
The club will now continue to train hard for the start of the 2008 season, and their first game against the Muswellbrook Kangaroos.
That game will be played at Bellevue Oval on April 12.
This year the season will consist of 15 rounds before the semi finals, which will be contested on August 23.
The following weekend’s match will be the preliminary final to decide who has the right to go through to the grand final on September 6.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express
March 18th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Well done boys! that’s the first ever Tablelands Cup Victory for the Club. Finally the Nomads name is on its own trophy.
Cheers
Sarge (Nomad 99-2005)
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:42 am
Congrats on the win lads! Keep up the good work, hopefully get back for a run near the end of the season. Nomads for the cup ’08
Sol Hanks
March 30th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Well done fellas! Hopefully be up for the ball. Go Nomads