Nomads score easy victory at home
The New England Nomads opened their 2012 account with a 110 point victory over the Muswellbrook Cats in their first home game of the season. Whilst the Cats were under manned for the long road trip north to take on the Nomads they were still not to be under estimated, especially after a hard fought victory in round one against Gunnedah.
It was the Nomads who started strongly with new midfield combination of Cameron Griggs (ruck), Dave Graan (centre) and on ballers Paddy Tobias and Benji Julien dominating at the centre clearances and giving fantastic delivery to big full forward Simon Stubbs who kicked truly.
The second quarter was much the same as the first with the Nomads midfield dominating led by ruckman Griggs. Across the ground Nomad wingers Ash Cruikshank and Dan sides were providing plenty of run and small forwards Weston Whitby and Dave Richards were providing their usual class in the forward fifty.
Despite being well in control at half time the Nomads were asked by their coaching staff to maintain their structure, to stay disciplined and concentrate on their game plan during the second half and this is exactly what they did. The Cats refused to give in and had their own passages of good play, however, time and time again the Nomad defence led by captain Clint Ballagh and veteran John Frost repelled the opposition attacks. They were very well supported by Nathan Lambie and Velani Chakalisa and new player Hugh Cook was very strong in his first game for the club.
In the end the Nomads ran out winners by 100+ points in a dominant display with plenty of positives to be taken from it including fantastic first games from ruckman Cameron Griggs and mid fielder Dave Graan as well as a robust performance from Paddy Tobias ‘On the ball’ whilst youngster Kaine Rowlings showed he is a player of the future kicking a goal in his first senior game.
The Nomads will now be looking to build on their first win with another strong performance against defending premiers Tamworth Kangaroos this coming Saturday at home.
Round 2 2012
| Nomads def. Cats | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
| Q1 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 12 | |
| HT | 11 | 8 | 74 | 3 | 1 | 19 | |
| Q3 | 16 | 10 | 106 | 6 | 1 | 37 | |
| FT | 23 | 17 | 155 | 7 | 3 | 45 | |
Team:
- C. Ballagh,
- V. Chakalisa,
- H. Cook,
- A. Cruickshank,
- C. Dobos,
- T. Duroux,
- J. Frost,
- D. Graan,
- C. Grigg,
- N. Holman,
- L. Holmes,
- B. Julien,
- N. Lambie,
- T. Machart,
- B. Page,
- D. Richards,
- K. Rowlings,
- D. Sides,
- S. Stubbs,
- P. Tobias,
- A. Walsh,
- W. Whitby.
Goalscorers:
- S. Stubbs (7),
- D. Richards (4),
- W. Whitby (4),
- B. Julien (2),
- B. Page (2),
- C. Grigg (2),
- A. Cruickshank,
- K. Rowlings.
Award winners:
- C. Grigg (Players' Player),
- P. Tobias (Coach's),
- S. Stubbs (President's),
- J. Frost (Captain's),
- V. Chakalisa (VC's),
- V. Chakalisa (Red Rooster).
