By Siobhan McCarthy (Armidale Express, 11/07/2012)
The New England Nomads have returned to the winner’s circle after narrowly defeating the Bulldogs 90-89 in the dying stages of Saturday’s game in Gunnedah. The two sides met two weeks after the Nomads suffered a shock loss, but with a full team on the field this week, the Nomads got the result they were after.

The Nomads trailed for most of the game, but by the fourth quarter they had a narrow lead.

The Bulldogs briefly clawed ahead, but in the dying stages the Nomads scored a goal to see them claim a one-point victory.

Nomads’ player-coach Tom Granleese said the result was a team effort.

“We went on to the field to win and the team as a whole positioned themselves to create lots of opportunities,” he said.

Despite the team effort, the on-field performance of Cam Grigg helped secure a Nomads’ victory.

“Grigg gave us brilliant first-use of the ball and chipped in to score a goal of his own,” Granleese said.

Along with Grigg, Granleese said one of the Nomads’ highest scorers was Jonathon Frost.

“In the midfield, Frost kicked three goals and was all over the paddock.”

“In a game that wasn’t won until the final minutes, we needed the likes of Frost to be a threat wherever he was on the field.”

Also one of the Nomads’ biggest assets was Adrian Walsh.

“Saturday’s game was a hard-fought game but we had Walsh who at 49-years-old was running around the field like a 25-year-old and having him in the backline was crucial,” he said.

Coming off two losses in two weeks, this win was important for the Nomads to cement their second place position onthe ladder.

Granleese and his team will now turn their attention to reigning premiers the Kangeroos in Tamworth this weekend.

This will be the Nomads’ sixth straight game away from home.

“We are really looking forward to getting all of our away games out of the road and take down Tamworth along the way,” he said.

The Nomads will then play at home for three weeks, including the club’s 50th anniversary game against Inverell to be held at Bellevue Oval.

“We are excited to play a few games at home, especially the game against Inverell next month,” he said.

“The game will be a huge focus for the boys, it will be as big as the last time the club won the premiership.”

The Nomads’ 50th anniversary match will be held on Saturday August 4.

Past players from around the country will travel to Armidale for the game against the Inverell Saints.

Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express

Round 12 2012

Bulldogs def. by Nomads
	G	B	P		G	B	P
Q1	5	4	34		2	2	14
HT	8	4	52		7	5	47
Q3	10	9	69		10	6	66
FT	13	11	89		13	12	90

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