Three on the trot as Nomads hit top gear
By Mitchell Neems (Armidale Express, 28/06/2010)
The New England Nomads have consolidated their place in the top three of the Tamworth AFL (TAFL) competition, with their third win in a row.
Round 11 saw the in form Nomads travelling to Gunnedah, where they were met by a well drilled Bulldogs side.
Despite some travel fatigue, the Nomads looked the goods from the get-go, taking a two goal lead into the first change, and a four goal lead into the main break.
Coach Brendan Meehan said he was pleased with his side’s efforts, though conceded there was still work to be done.
“We’re happy to come away with the win, but I think all the boys know things didn’t go together exactly as we planned,” he said.
“There were times when they just looked flat.”
A last quarter charge from the Bulldogs looked to put the Nomads’ winning streak in jeopardy, but they hung on for a nail- biting two point victory, 10.10 70 – 9.14 68.
“We played a solid game, but we did concede some easy points,” Meehan said.
As predicted, the bigger ground at Gunnedah suited the Nomads’ aggressive running game.
“The wider ground was definitely an advantage for us, but we really didn’t make full use of that,” Meehan said.
Weston Whitby again led from the front bagging five goals, ably supported by Jay Wright and Matthew Bourke.
At the other end, Kenneth Clayton and Leigh Holmes were both sterling in defence.
Matt Maxwell’s much hyped return to the Nomads midfield was slow off the mark, but a cracking second half saw him almost back to his best.
Meehan said all eyes were now on next week’s clash against Muswellbrook at home.
“Hopefully we can carry this form into that match and make it four from four,” he said.
The following week, the Nomads are back on the road and facing ladder leaders Inverell – a match Meehan says will be a good ‘acid test’ for his young charges.
In the weekend’s other matches Inverell made short work of Muswellbrook with a decisive 15.19 109 – 5.6 36 victory, while Narrabri snuck home against the Tamworth Swans 9.7 61 – 7.12 54.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express
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).
