What had seemed like a very promising season, ended rather abruptly on Saturday with the Nomads being outplayed by Inverell in windy conditions at the Bellevue Oval. The final margin was 28 points, but this was not indicative of the closeness of the contest, with the Nomads always being a chance until the final ten minutes. It was a rather disappointing end to what had at times seemed like a possible Premiership year.

The Saints were out of the blocks quicker than the Nomads kicking 3 goals to the Nomads’ single effort. The locals have been slow starters all year. The second quarter saw the Nomads peg back the lead, although some rather cavalier work in the forward line lead to a lot of wasted opportunities. At half time the difference was only 10 points.

The third quarter saw the Saints kick two goals to the Nomads three giving them a fifteen point lead at the final break. It was still anyone’s game at this point. The Nomads were winning in the middle and holding up in the backline. If the forwards could just get some movement happening then there was a good chance of a comeback. Alas that was not to be and the Saints ran out winners.

Best players for the Nomads were the ever-reliable Pearce brothers (Hamish and Darby), who won a great deal of possession in the middle. In the backline Matt Bourke and Johnathon Frost did a tremendous job of not only defending but rebounding the ball quickly into the Nomads half. Jay Wright and Marc Dowdle (the Coast Rica kid) also played very well in a losing side.

The Nomads will lose a number of key players at the end of this year so some serious work will need to be done on rebuilding. Serious injuries during the year did not help our cause.

Since this is the last match report for the year, on behalf of the club, I would like to thank a number of people without whom we wouldn’t be able to function. (I apologise to anyone I have left out). Firstly I would like to thank the goal umpires, Brian Simpson, Gus Barker, Darren Ryder and time-keeper Milton Curkpatrick. They simply roll up every week and do a great job. The boundary umpires, Josh Dobos, Clarrie Barker, Sam Bioletti, Ben Ryder, Marni Walsh and Gus Trenarry all did a wonderful job, often in very difficult conditions. Thanks to Marc Dowdle who filled out the Sporting Pulse entries for us in a diligent and timely fashion. I would also like to thank Leigh Holmes, David Dunlop, Leisa Meehan, Chloe Meehan and Adam Parish, all who ran water or messages at various times during the year. On Thursday nights Dave Bioletti has been Barbecue Man, dispensing sausages, kebabs and wisdom to anyone willing to listen and, more recently, Sue Bourke has spoiled us with an evening smorgasboard. Thanks to all the committee members who helped out on game days and were generally involved in the running of the club. Finally, thanks to Our Man in Rotterdam, Ron Crump, who keeps this website going and is worth his weight in gold for all the assistance he continues to give from the Northern Hemisphere.

Round PF 2011

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