The New England Nomads will play in their first Grand Final since 2006 after a convincing win over the Tamworth Kangaroos at the Bellevue Oval on Saturday. Although the scores were level mid-way through the last quarter, the Nomads dug deep and pulled away and won by 14 points.

The match began in near perfect conditions – although wind was predicted for later in the afternoon. The Roos won the toss and kicked to the grand stand end. The Nomads midfield had a big task ahead of them with the Roos possessing some very destructive on-ballers and the first few clearances were won by the Roos. However, Dave Graan and Jon Freund soon took control. By the end of the quarter the Nomads were thirteen points ahead.

The second quarter saw the Nomads with the wind advantage. Coach-Granleese emphasised the importance of playing topside at the break and the boys heeded the advice. The Nomads kicked 4 in the quarter. Having sent much of the year in the midfield, Weston Whitby was enjoying his run in the forward line and was particularly dangerous across the half-forward flank. Caleb Dobos was causing problems for the Roos with his clever scouting around the packs. The Nomads’ small brigade, Dave Graan, Benji Julien and Riley Connor were in devastating form. The Nomads kicked four for the quarter to the Roos three goals. At half-time the Nomads were ahead by 18 points.

The third quarter saw the Roos outscore the Nomads. Some of this was due to a lack of vision or thoughtfulness around the stoppages. The Roos scored two easy goals from boundary throw-ins when the Nomads failed to protect the corridor. (Such lapses will be punished next week against the Saints if they continue). At three quarter time the Nomads were nine points ahead.

The final quarter was a thrilling contest. The Roos play some of the most exciting football around and have some quality forwards and those forwards (Hodge and Overeem in particular) were determined to get them into the grand final. By mid-way through the last quarter the scores were level at one point at 76 apiece. However, the quality of the Nomads forwards came through at this point and the Nomads were able to kick three more goals when it mattered.

It was a very good effort. Weston Whitby was in devastating form across the half forward line. Dave Graan, Riley Connor, Jon Freund and Benji Julien were tireless in their efforts to win the hardball. The most pleasing aspect of the win was the tackling and second efforts right across the ground. The Roos have a lot of very quick midfielders but they never were allowed the space they needed to run the ball in the manner to which they are accustomed. Grant Elson and Simon Stubbs were tireless in the ruck. In the backline Tom Granleese punched everything that came his way and Hughie Cook was his normal dependable self across the half-back line. And number 4, Nathan Lambie, lived up to the reputation of his jumper with two mercurial goals at just the right moment.

We look forward now to the Grand Final at Inverell. Go the Nomads!!!

Round PF 2012

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 at 8:20 am and is filed under Match report. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.