Nomads disappoint in Inverell
New England’s good run came to an abrupt end on Saturday when they lost to the Inverell Saints by 21.12 (138) to 10.15 (75). On a high scoring weekend in the Essential Energy TAFL, the Nomads poor conversion rate meant they were the only side not to break the 100 point barrier on Saturday.
The first quarter was an even affair and if the forwards had taken greater advantage of their opportunities, the visitors might have been a couple of goals ahead. The rot started however in the second quarter when at the ten minute mark the Saints put the foot on the accelerator and went to the midterm break with a handy 22 point break. Worse was to come in the third quarter with the Saints pouring on six goals to the Nomads two. The last quarter saw more of the same.
Where did it go wrong? The side was short of a number of key players going into the match, especially in the midfield. However, midfielders such as Calla Teseling, Frosty and Omphile Temoso, performed wonderfully propelling the ball into the forward line regularly. Equally the back line toiled hard all day. The biggest problem was in the forward line where there was little talk and not enough endeavour at the fall of the ball. With the exception of Hamish Ross the forwards were unable to break the shackles of the well-organised Inverell back line.
The Nomads now need to regroup and redeem themselves against the Swans. It would be a genuine shame if this season, which has been so promising, turned into one of those ‘what-might-have-been’ years. To the players, it is worth remembering that these opportunities only come along every so often.
On an even more sombre note – Mitchell “Muzza’ Reece’s broken thumb is a real set-back for the club. He has been a rock at fullback all year and his good judgement has prevented many opposition forays towards the goals. (This is the 4th serious injury we have had this year, after injuries to Simon Stubbs, Leigh Holmes and Grant Wagstaff). Muzza will be greatly missed and we wish him well in his recovery.
Round 11 2011
| Saints def. Nomads | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
| Q1 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 3 | 4 | 22 | |
| HT | 9 | 6 | 60 | 5 | 8 | 38 | |
| Q3 | 15 | 9 | 99 | 7 | 11 | 53 | |
| FT | 21 | 12 | 138 | 10 | 15 | 75 | |
Team:
- C. Ballagh,
- M. Bourke,
- V. Chakalisa,
- C. Dobos,
- M. Dowdle,
- J. Frost,
- N. Holman,
- B. Julien,
- L. McLeod,
- B. Meehan,
- M. Reece,
- D. Richards,
- H. Ross,
- N. Schultz,
- C. Teseling,
- O. Temoso,
- A. Walsh,
- T. Walsh,
- R. Whitby,
- W. Whitby,
- M. Woodward,
- J. Wright.
Goalscorers:
- H. Ross (4),
- D. Richards (2),
- W. Whitby (2),
- J. Frost,
- O. Temoso.
Award winners:
- H. Ross (Players' Player),
- O. Temoso (Coach's),
- J. Frost (President's),
- V. Chukalisa (Captain's),
- J. Woodward (VC's).
