The Nomads made the long bus trip to Narrabri on the weekend with their season on the line. They came home with a hard fought 13-point win, and a spot in the 2nd semi final secured.

It was a gusty day at Narrabri’s tiny Leitch Oval – we won the toss and went with the breeze. Our forward line was bolstered by the return of Weston Whitby, and his impact on the game was realised quickly as our first few forays forward resulted in Whitby goals from typically ridiculous angles. However, we had trouble anticipating the drop of the ball when it was kicked into the breeze, and we let an early lead slip as Narrabri kicked five unanswered goals heading into quarter time.

We got back to basics in the second. The backline prevented the Eagles making use of the breeze, spoiling everything and running the ball out of defence. We made a point of keeping possession of the ball, and with two goals each for the quarter, we took a two goal deficit into half time. The message from Brendan at half time was clear – our season rested our next half of footy, and it was going to take every player to get us over the line.

We really turned it on in the third, and played one of our best team quarters for the year. Some bruising work in the centre from Jay Wright, Gavin Nelson and Jonathan Frost earned us first use of the ball. Caleb Dobos, with only one game under his belt since his ankle injury, was in fine form, marking strongly and kicking magnificently, while Paddy Tobias and Tom Walsh’s pressure across the centre repelled Narrabri’s attempts of clearing it out of defence. However, the most startling performance of the 2nd half came from Calla Teseling in only his fourth game ever. Calla’s tackling, shepherding and closing speed on countless contests defied his inexperience and undoubtedly swung the game in our favour. A six goal to one third quarter gave us a small break at three quarter time.

We couldn’t maintain our free-flowing dominance into the breeze in the last quarter, but our attack on the ball didn’t cease. The backline fought it out hard as Narrabri tried to mount a late charge. When Dobos marked and put through his fourth late in the day, we were home by 13 points.

It was great team victory against a tough and improving Narrabri side, where many of our fringe players lifted in the absence of some of our injured or absent stars. Velani Chakalisa (continuing a fine tradition of Motswana Nomads) played a great first game, and has a great footy career ahead of him. We have week off next week, and then Gunnedah at home in the last round before the finals. There is still a chance we can snatch a home final. Great effort on the weekend boys, but get to training, there’s plenty of work to be done.

Award winners: Player’s player – Calla Teseling, Coach’s Award – Dave Bioletti and Craig Merrick, Captain’s Award – Jay Wright, Red Rooster – Jonathan Frost, Vice President’s Award – Weston Whitby, Vice Chancellor’s award – Mark Dowdle, Narrabri’s Best – Daniel Hughes.

Round 17 2010

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