Nomads survive close shave at Gunnedah
By Nick Schultz
The Nomads went to Gunnedah on the weekend looking for a third win in row, and to firm up a spot in the finals. After a dominant first half, we faded badly, but managed to hold on for a 2-point victory.
The Bulldogs were coming off a hiding at the hands of Inverell last week, and we knew they would be keen to atone. It was us, however, that controlled the game through the first half. We went out with the aim to get to ball first, and to control possession once we had it. We were doing just that – working the ball out of defence, around the wings, and to a double-teamed Weston Whitby regularly. There was plenty of defending to be done in Gunnedah’s forward half, but our set-up was working well and we took a 23 point lead into half time.
The second half saw another of our disturbingly regular lapses in intensity, as Gunnedah started running the ball forward with plenty of free men to kick to. A four goal to two quarter saw our lead cut to 7 points at the last break, and Coach Brendan Meehan pleaded for some desperation and application of our game plan.
The last quarter was a hard slog. Neither team was able to get any real flow going, as stalemates and turnovers dominated proceedings. The Dogs got the first of the quarter to make it tight. Whitby put through our only goal of the quarter to give us some breathing space with 5 minutes to go, but the Dogs weren’t finished. They got a goal from a 50m penalty to cut the margin to 2 points. The ball spent the last few minutes of the game in the Dogs forward line, but we were able to hang on for the win.
Matt Maxwell was the standout in the middle with a great return to the form after some illness, injury and absence. Mark Clayton and Leigh Holmes were standouts in defence, the pair spoiling, tackling and clearing relentlessly, on a day where the back half had plenty of work to do. Paddy Tobias and Hamish Pearce had their heads over the ball all day. Whitby was the best forward of either side, with 5 goals and some hard work up the ground also. Visiting ex-Nomad Anthony Fisher (all the way from the U.S.A.) was lively up forward, and Dave Dunlop continued his good form of late, creating plenty of scoring opportunities for us.
Overall, it was good win – we hadn’t won in Gunnedah for a couple of years, and the win gives us outright third on the ladder. However, we really need to work on our four quarter efforts. If we only play two and a half good quarters a game, we will get murdered by the better teams. Next week is the Nomads Ball, and many ex-players and friends will be in town for the event. If we can put in a full game of footy and secure a win against Muswellbrook, it should be a good week for the club.
Round 11 2010
Bulldogs def. by Nomads | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
Q1 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 27 | |
HT | 3 | 8 | 26 | 7 | 7 | 49 | |
Q3 | 7 | 12 | 54 | 9 | 7 | 61 | |
FT | 9 | 14 | 68 | 10 | 10 | 70 |
Team:
- C. Ballagh,
- D. Bioletti,
- M. Bourke,
- M. Clayton,
- D. Dunlop,
- A. Fisher,
- J. Frost,
- M. Hamilton,
- L. Holmes,
- M. Maxwell,
- C. Murray,
- G. Nelson,
- H. Pearce,
- N. Schultz,
- C. Teseling,
- O. Temoso,
- P. Tobias,
- A. Walsh,
- T. Walsh,
- W. Whitby,
- J. Wright.
Goalscorers:
- W. Whitby (5),
- A. Fisher (2),
- G. Nelson,
- J. Wright,
- M. Bourke.
Award winners:
- M. Maxwell (Players' Player),
- M. Clayton (Coach's),
- L. Holmes (Captain's),
- H. Pearce (VC's),
- A. Fisher (Red Rooster),
- P. Tobias (Vice President's).
June 28th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Nomads,
Way to go with third poition on thr ladder. keep up the good work.
All the best for a great time at the Ball.
Brendo