Nomads launch revival with win over Swans

by Mitchell Neems (Armidale Express, 31/5/2010)
The New England Nomads are set for a mid-season revival after recording an impressive victory over reigning premiers the Tamworth Swans. In gloomy conditions on Saturday afternoon, the Nomads looked impressive from the get-go and ran away 9.6. 62 to 5.7. 37 winners in front of a dedicated home crowd at Bellevue Oval.

Nomads coach Brendan Meehan said he was proud of this team’s win, which cements their place in the Tamworth AFL’s top four. “It was great to see the guys playing as a team and playing with confidence”, he said. “We just focused on the basics—shepherds, getting the talk up on the field—and it worked well for us.”

While the rain only threatened for most of the game, the damp field pushed play out on to the flanks, which Meehan said played to the Nomads’ strengths. “It was our game plan to get the ball out of the centre and on the flanks where there was more space,” he said. “You really have to play the conditions and that’s exactly what we did.”

The Nomads were in control throughout, dominating possession, playing ‘smart footy with a heavy ball’ and going to the main change up to 6.6. 42 to 3.6. 24. Paddy Tobias, on the ball, was crucial to moving play out of the soggy, congested centre and was, as always, ably supported by Hamish Pearce. Omphile Temoso was also impressive in the ruck while Jay Wright and Benjamin Pearce led the charge up front, each bagging two goals.

Meehan said although the Nomads still had improvements to make, there was ‘a lot of positives’ to come out of the match. Coming off the back of two hefty losses to the Tamworth Roos and Inverell, Meehan hopes the weekend’s victory will be the start of a Nomads resurgence. “We have two byes now, and then Narribri at home, so we’re in a good position to get up some momentum.”

The two week break will give all the Nomads players nursing niggling injuries time to recover, especially Leigh Holmes who missed the Swans match. Meehan said he was confident of posting a well drilled, full strength side against Narribri. “We’re going to use this break as a foundation to build on towards the finals,” he said. “We will hone our basic skills, improve our fitness levels and really come back from it a stronger team.”

In other games, sixth placed Gunnedah produced the upset of the season over ladder-leaders Tamworth Kangaroos with an 18.21 129 to 6.6. 42 victory. Meanwhile, Narribri snuck home with a one goal win over Muswellbrook 9.11. 65 to 8.11. 59.

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express

Round 8 2010

Nomads def. Swans
 GBP GBP
Q1139 128
HT3624 1612
Q36743 3624
FT9862 5737

Team:

  • A. Baillie,
  • C. Ballagh,
  • M. Bourke,
  • M. Clayton,
  • M. Dowdle,
  • D. Dunlop,
  • J. Frost,
  • J. Harland,
  • M. Maxwell,
  • L. McLeod,
  • C. Merrick,
  • G. Nelson,
  • B. Page,
  • H. Pearce,
  • A. Reid,
  • N. Schultz,
  • O. Temoso,
  • P. Tobias,
  • G. Wagstaff,
  • A. Walsh,
  • T. Walsh,
  • J. Wright.

Goalscorers:

  • A. Reid (2),
  • B. Page (2),
  • J. Wright (2),
  • H. Pearce,
  • J. Frost,
  • J. Harland.

Award winners:

  • P. Tobias (Players' Player),
  • C. Ballagh (Coach's),
  • M. Dowdle (President's),
  • D. Dunlop (Captain's),
  • J. Wright (VC's),
  • H. Pearce (Red Rooster).

2 Responses to “Nomads launch revival with win over Swans”

  1. Shifty Says:

    Go Benny Pearce! I hope he’s related to Hamish and half as good!!!

  2. Ron Says:

    Great result. Well played. Now work hard at training in this break so you can build on this. Go Nomads!

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