Nomads notch

By Matt Nicholls (Armidale Express, 26/04/2010)
Weston Whitby booted six goals in a best on ground performance to lead the New England Nomads to their first victory of the Tamworth AFL season on Saturday.

Against Narrabri at Narrabri, the margin between the two sides didn’t exceed 18 points all afternoon in what was a fierce struggle at Leitch Oval.

The Nomads led by 14 points at the first change before the home side hit back to hold a four-point buffer at half time.

A terrific third quarter from New England had the visitors up by 10 points heading into the final term, and many sensed the Nomads would runaway with the contest.

But Narrabri refused to lie down in front of their supporters and took the game up to New England, forcing the visitors to dig deep in the last quarter to take their first points of the season.

Both sides kicked 1.4 in the final quarter as the Nomads ran out 10-point winners.

Whitby was the star with six majors, while support came from Matt Maxwell (two goals), Johnathon Frost, Kenneth Clayton and Grant Wagstaff.

It was no surprise New England coach Brendan Meehan was relieved to come home with a win.

“It was a good, hard fought contest,” he said.

“We started off well but we got a bit lost again until late in the game.

“They were always on our hammer but credit to our guys they never gave up.”

Meehan praised the work of Whitby and Maxwell who rotated between the forward line and midfield.

“They worked so hard all afternoon and really finished off,” he said.

“Hamish Pearce was also superb and John Frost played a blinder – probably his best game for us.”

Fitness is the key focus for the Nomads now, as they look to notch up consecutive wins against Muswellbrook at home this Saturday.

“It’ll be our first game of the season and hopefully we’ll have a full squad to pick from,” Meehan said.

“Hopefully we can get a bit of a run on as it’ll be a tough season momentum wise.

“Muswellbrook is probably the only ‘gimme’ win this season so we’ll have to play well all year to make the finals.”

In other games in the Tamworth AFL competition on Saturday, Tamworth Kangaroos hammered Muswellbrook by 96 points, winning 22.24 (156) to 9.6 (60).

Richard Penberthy dominated up forward for the Roos, kicking eight goals, while Stuart McAdam booted five for the Cats.

In Gunnedah, the Inverell Saints had too much toe for the Bulldogs, winning 17.12 (114) to 9.11 (65).

NEW ENGLAND 5.2, 6.6, 10.9, 11.13 (79) d NARRABRI EAGLES 3.0, 7.4, 9.5, 10.9 (69)

Goals (Nomads): Weston Whitby 6; Matt Maxwell 2; Hamish Pearce, Adrian Walsh, Matt Bourke.

Best: Whitby, Maxwell, Pearce, Johnathon Frost, Kenneth Clayton, Grant Wagstaff.

Goals (Eagles): Not supplied.

Best: Duane Shawcross, Paul Bushby, Chris Shepherdson, Daniel Hughes, Dean Patten.

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express

Round 3 2010

Eagles def. by Nomads
 GBP GBP
Q13018 5232
HT7446 6642
Q39559 10969
FT10969 111379

Team:

  • C. Ballagh,
  • M. Bourke,
  • D. Brown,
  • M. Clayton,
  • R. Crump,
  • M. Dowdle,
  • D. Dunlop,
  • J. Frost,
  • J. Harland,
  • S. Kliendienst,
  • D. MacLellan,
  • M. Maxwell,
  • C. Merrick,
  • C. Murray,
  • G. Nelson,
  • B. Page,
  • H. Pearce,
  • O. Temoso,
  • G. Wagstaff,
  • A. Walsh,
  • T. Walsh,
  • W. Whitby.

Goalscorers:

  • W. Whitby (6),
  • M. Maxwell (2),
  • A. Walsh,
  • H. Pearce,
  • M. Bourke.

Award winners:

  • W. Whitby (Players' Player),
  • G. Wagstaff (Coach's),
  • J. Frost (Captain's),
  • M. Maxwell (VC's),
  • T. Walsh (Red Rooster),
  • H. Pearce (Vice President's).

2 Responses to “Nomads notch”

  1. Brendan Nolan Says:

    Nomads,

    Good to see our first win. The win came from a number of outstanding individual efforts. What we have to do now is to develop our teamwork. This comes about through consistent and constructive talk all over the ground.

    It is also obvious that we are not as fit as we need to be. Fitness will come from attending every training night and playing in every game.

    We have a group of good players this year so let’s make it a great year for the Nomads.

    Brendo

  2. Norm Says:

    Congrats on a hard fought win lads. Keep the progress up!
    Norm

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