Loss does Nomads’ finals footy chances no favour
By Josh Patterson (Armidale Express, 27/07/2009)
The New England Nomads were unlucky to not come away with a victory from their trip to Tamworth with the table topping Tamworth Swans just holding on by 14 over the Armidale-based side.
The Nomads had a strong first half but found themselves 18 points down at three quarter time, which then blew out to 36 before a fast finishing Nomads side reeled it back to 14 only for the Swans to hold out.
Had the Nomads kicked a bit straighter in the final quarter they would’ve taken the match, missing four set shots late in the game.
Best on ground for the Nomads were Johnathon Frost, Adam Wright, Will Hamilton and Clinton Ballagh, while Nomads coach Brendan Meehan said the Swans’ best was definitely Gavin Knee.
The Nomads have come through the game without any injuries and with no suspensions so will put a strong team on the park next week against the Muswellbrook Cats, and Meehan said he was confident his side could get the win despite having a couple of players away due to work.
Meehan said the key to a victory over Muswellbrook was to continue doing what the team did well against the Swans and that was attacking the ball hard and playing well as a team, but most importantly they had to capitalise on their goal chances more.
The loss has slimmed the Nomads chances of finals footy, with the team needing at least two wins from their remaining four games and requiring the Inverell Saints to lose a match or two, before the two teams meet in the final round of the Tamworth Australian Football League.
Nomads coach Brendan Meehan said “Tamworth Swans deserve to be where they are at the top of the table, but we’re not too far off them having beaten them by eight earlier in the season before two narrow losses by ten and fourteen in the last two meetings.”
He also said that, should they make the finals they would have a full strength side, something they’ve lacked all year due to university holidays and players being away for work commitments.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express
Round 11 2009
| Swans def. Nomads | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
| Q1 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 28 | |
| HT | 7 | 8 | 50 | 5 | 6 | 36 | |
| Q3 | 9 | 9 | 63 | 6 | 10 | 46 | |
| FT | 13 | 13 | 91 | 10 | 17 | 77 | |
Team:
- A. Baillie,
- C. Ballagh,
- M. Bourke,
- M. Clayton,
- R. Crump,
- C. Dobos,
- D. Dunlop,
- J. Frost,
- W. Hamilton,
- M. Maxwell,
- B. Meehan,
- B. Page,
- W. Redhead,
- J. Reid,
- N. Schultz,
- O. Temoso,
- S. Trotman,
- J. Vesey,
- A. Walsh,
- T. Walsh,
- A. Wright,
- J. Wright.
Goalscorers:
- M. Maxwell (3),
- W. Hamilton (2),
- A. Walsh,
- A. Wright,
- C. Dobos,
- J. Reid,
- S. Trotman.
Award winners:
- J. Frost (Players'Player),
- J. Reid (Coach's),
- C. Ballagh (President's),
- W. Hamilton (Captain's).
July 28th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Nomads,
We seem to be so close to the leading sides. Only fourteen points and we could have walked away with a great win. At this stage I I am hoping to see you in the finals. I know that depends on some losses by other teamsbut if we keep winning from now on at least we are giving ourselves a chance. If we make the finals anything can happen.
All the Best,
Brendo