Nomads’ Unbeaten Run comes to an End
After more than a year of uninterrupted victory, the Nomads have lost in a tight tussle against Inverell at the Saint’s home ground, Varley Oval. In a game where the lead changed hands many times, the Saints eventually proved too strong on the day running out three point winners. The final scores were 13.8.86 to 11.17.83.
The convoy of Nomads’ players arrived in Inverell to be greeted by a large crowd and very warm weather. There was a great atmosphere about the ground and it was clear that the Saints had a lot of support behind them.
The first quarter belonged to the Nomads who had 70% of the play. Matt Foley and Dr Flexo Freund were winning the hard balls in the middle, while Zac Old and Mark Spencer were providing plenty of outside run on the wings. Up forward, Weston Whitby and Matt Folpp were providing plenty of movement and marking everything that came in sight. Gleeso and Zac were their normal dominant selves down back. Tom Hunt was marking everything that he came near him and he was running like a man possessed (obviously inspired by his beloved Tigers’ recent run of form). Unfortunately poor kicking and a very crowded forward 50 let the Nomads down. The Saints scored two goals, both of which came against the run of the play. The Nomads should have had 6 or 7 goals for the quarter, given their dominance around the ground. But at the first break the scores were 3.5.23 to 2.0.12.
The second quarter saw the Saints start to assert themselves with some strong marking in their forward line and the Nomads were having trouble containing some of the Saints stronger midfielders. The visitors also seemed to have lost their ability to run the ball quickly out of the backline, kicking instead to crowded packs. The Nomads were playing to the Saints’ strengths since they clearly had a lot more overhead marking power. Up forward Weston Whitby was having a blinder while Tommy Hunt continued to dominate around the ground. Despite their efforts, and those of a number of other key position players, at half-time the Saints were ahead 7.3.45 to 5.7.37.
The third quarter is often the quarter where games are won or lost and over the past year or so the Nomads have risen to the challenge when under pressure in this term. However, the Saints seemed determined to prevent a Nomads fightback. Strong running in their midfield denied the Nomads forwards any great opportunity. The Nomads, who have been Breust-like in their accuracy this year, missed a number of key shots at goal. At the final change the scores were 10.5.65 to 7.13.55.
At this stage it looked like the Saints might run out easy winners, but Economou, Whitby, Granleese and Freundy had very different ideas. A couple of quick goals from the Skipper and from Isaiah Graham soon turned the game around and the Nomads were in front. With five minutes to go it was anybody’s game. The Saints, however, won some crucial midfield hardballs, scored and when the buzzer went they were three points up.
While not a complete disaster, the result does give the Nomads pause for thought. A number of things need to be remedied. For instance, the forwards need to be given far more space in which to work. And there was a noticeable lack of run; although Varley Oval is far smaller than the Bellevue, there is still a significant amount of space which could have been used. In the back-line there was also a lack of coordination when the ball hit the deck. Undoubtedly Zac will work to iron these bugs out over the next few weeks.
Next week the Nomads play Gunnedah and will have a chance to run themselves back into form.
Go the Green!
Round 13 2014
Saints def. Nomads | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
Q1 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 23 | |
HT | 7 | 3 | 45 | 5 | 7 | 37 | |
Q3 | 10 | 5 | 65 | 7 | 13 | 55 | |
FT | 13 | 8 | 86 | 11 | 17 | 83 |
Team:
- C. Ballagh,
- C. Barker,
- C. Bender,
- V. Chakalisa,
- Z. Economou,
- M. Foley,
- M. Folpp,
- H. Freund,
- J. Frost,
- C. Graham,
- I. Graham,
- T. Granleese,
- T. Hunt,
- S. Maseko,
- Z. Old,
- D. Richards,
- M. Spencer,
- O. Temoso,
- A. Walsh,
- W. Whitby,
- M. Woodward.
Goalscorers:
- W. Whitby (5),
- I. Graham (3),
- M. Folpp (2),
- D. Richards.
Award winners:
- T. Hunt (Players' Player),
- J. Freund (Coach's),
- M. Foley (President's),
- T. Granleese (Captain's),
- W. Whitby (Gleeson's).