Nomads caught napping against the Dogs

An under-strength Nomads team was defeated on Saturday by the Gunnedah Bulldogs after an appalling first quarter in which the Dogs kicked fifty points to the Nomads 9. The Nomads rallied after this disastrous start but, unlike the week before, there were no fairy-tale endings, with the New Englanders unable to peg back the lead. It was the Nomads’ first loss after 6 successive victories.

Perhaps it was hubris after all those wins on the trot or perhaps it was the bus trip over, but only one team turned up to play. With a number of their gun players returning, the Dogs’ classy midfield chopped up the Nomads. The forwards were left to watch on in horror as the ball spent the great majority of its time in the Dogs’ forward fifty. If Gunnedah had kicked straight, then the damage might have been much worse.

In the second quarter the bleeding slowed with Weston Whitby, Matt Woodward and Frosty working hard in the middle to counter the attack of the Dogs but, even with their efforts, the Nomads found themselves 37 points behind at the long break.

Things improved in the third quarter with the midfield starting to win more of the ball and forwards such as Shawn Cusack and David Richards beginning to make an impact on the scoreboard. By three quarter time the Nomads were ‘only’ five goals behind.

The final quarter saw a determined display on the part of the Nomads to realise the improbable (if not the impossible) and, for a few brief moments, it looked like the miracle might occur. However, a couple of quick goals for the Dogs after some sloppy defending saw them safely home. The gap was too large.

What to say? Well one thing you might say is that this is a loss the Nomads had to have. But this platitude sounds more like post-hoc rationalisation than anything else and rather unconvincing at that. One thing that is clear is that the midfield and the backs need to tighten up when playing against quality opposition. On a positive note, the side didn’t give up at all.

Best players for the Nomads were Weston Whitby, Johnathon Frost, Clint “Rowdy” Ballagh, Shawn Cusack, Riley Connor and David Richards all of whom battled valiantly in difficult circumstances. It is hoped that next week everyone turns up to play in the first quarter, rather than later in the day.

Round 10 2012

Bulldogs def. Nomads
 GBP GBP
Q17850 139
HT121082 7345
Q31512102 10969
FT1917131 1610106

Team:

  • C. Ballagh,
  • V. Chakalisa,
  • R. Connor,
  • H. Cook,
  • S. Cusack,
  • D. Dunlop,
  • T. Duroux,
  • G. Elson,
  • J. Frost,
  • T. Granleese,
  • N. Lambie,
  • L. McLeod,
  • W. Newchurch,
  • D. Richards,
  • S. Stubbs,
  • J. Taylor,
  • J. Veall,
  • A. Walsh,
  • T. Walsh,
  • W. Whitby,
  • M. Woodward.

Goalscorers:

  • S. Cusack (5),
  • D. Richards (4),
  • T. Granleese (3),
  • G. Elson (2),
  • J. Frost.

Award winners:

  • W. Whitby (Players' Player),
  • R. Connor (Coach's),
  • G. Elson (President's),
  • S. Cusack (Captain's),
  • J. Frost (VC's),
  • D. Richards (Red Rooster).

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