Dave MacLellan
Just a brief wrap up of the season from a Nomad point of view. The Nomads finished the finals in third spot; arguably we could have finished better, although in reality the Nomads lost to the top sides (Kangaroos and Saints) on seven occasions during the regular season and finals series. For the first time since the tournament’s inception, the Nomads were successful in winning the Tablelands Cup that we host each pre-season for teams in the TAFL and North Coast competitions.

As is usual for football clubs, the final game of the season sees the departure of several players. Being based in a University town, the Nomads have a higher turnover than many clubs and the end of 2008 will see the departure of Captain Glen Northway (46 games), Vice-captain/Logo Anthony Reid (44 games) and Assistant Coach/Vice-President Dylan McGrath (52 games). Long time players Matt Maxwell (39 games), Rich Malone (45), Ed Nixon (32) and I (49) will also be departing. Recent recruit Lahl Jenkins will also be leaving after only 6 games for the club.

The large turnover this year makes large scale recruitment for players and helpers a priority for the off-season. As a result of the turnover the 250th Nomad player may take to the field in 2009. Currently a total of 224 players have worn the Nomad jumper at least once in the decade long existence of the club. Next year the club will again feature Ben Page and Adrian Walsh racing/hobbling towards the hundred game milestone, they are locked together on 78 appearances, while Ron Crump is only two games from his 50th Nomad outing. The Nomads are also hoping that Weston Whitby stays in Armidale to defend his Gerry Griffiths Medal for the TAFL’s golden boot.

Next season will almost certainly see the expansion of the Nomads brand with new under 14 years and under 16 years teams that will play under the Nomad’s banner in 2009.

Finally, this will be my last Nomads report. With any luck they were entertaining for the spread of ex-Nomads and hopefully someone will take over and write them next season. Thanks to Amy Cosby, Jill Dobson and Mel Gatsby for taking so many photos throughout the season.

The Nomads warm up between matches at the 2008 Tablelands Cup which they won without losing a match

This entry was posted on Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 10:12 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.