Nomads bow-out in Tablelands final
By Gary Fry (Armidale Independent, 24/03/2010)
The New England Nomads hosted the Tablelands AFL Knockout on the weekend. The knockout has been run annually for about eight years, however this was the first time it had been held over two days.
Breathers between games were mandatory with the unusually warm Armidale autumn sun creating AFL playing conditions that were too warm even for eventual knockout winners, the North Coffs Harbour Roos.
Five teams played at the Bellevue AFL Oval at the University of New England, although only four contested the Tablelands Cup. Competing teams were: New England Nomads (Armidale), the Inverell Saints, North Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Valley Lions. The Tamworth Swans could not field a side on Sunday, so they played ‘friendly’ games against the contenders on Saturday only.
AFL is a more established code in the Coffs Coast area.
The Australian Rules Football competition has been growing steadily in the New England for just over a decade. The ‘footy’ code has been around for longer on the Coffs Coast. The strength of their competition was showcased by the Roos in Armidale on the weekend. Yet, Roos’ Captain, Darren Funston said the local boys pushed them all the way in the grand final.
The grand final was played earlier on Sunday afternoon than anticipated and players tired under the blistering sun. The fulltime scoreboard read:
Nomads | 5 | 1 | Roos | 6 | 4 |
31 | 40 |
Teams from Sawtell, Nambucca and Coffs Harbour have been supporting the Tablelands knockout since the early days of the new millennium.
MVP (Most Valuable Player) for knockout was awarded to the New England Nomad’s No. 10, Weston Whitby. The Armidale local scored through the centre posts in the second half of the grand final after taking two marks in the lead up.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Independent