Nomads feel the pinch
From the Armidale Independent, 20/08/2014
New England may rest some key players in Saturday’s final round of the Tamworth AFL season as it prepares to defend its premiers tag.
The Nomads are feeling the effects of a tough season and some key players – including coach Zac Economou and Weston Whitby – could be given a breather against Tamworth Kangaroos.
”It will all depend on how many players we have available,” Economou said.
”With uni holidays on, our numbers drop off a bit, so we’ll have to weigh up who is available before deciding who to rest.”
Whitby is the most likely to be given a week off, with the star player battling hamstring tightness.
That didn’t stop him from being best afield in Saturday’s 10-goal win in Gunnedah though.
However, Economou is also in need of a break, with the coach suffering from osteitis pubis, which causes pain in the groin and affects mobility.
”I have been dealing with it all year, but it does help when I have a week off,” he said.
”It’s easier when I play forward, so I might end up playing there for the reason of the season.”
The coach said despite the possibility of resting players, he would like to beat the third-placed Kangaroos heading into the finals.
The Roos upset second-placed Inverell on Saturday, defeating the Saints by 50 points.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Independent
Round 14 2014
Bulldogs def. by Nomads | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
Q1 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 39 | |
HT | 2 | 9 | 21 | 9 | 6 | 60 | |
Q3 | 5 | 14 | 44 | 14 | 9 | 93 | |
FT | 10 | 16 | 76 | 19 | 12 | 126 |
Team:
- C. Ballagh,
- C. Barker,
- V. Chakalisa,
- H. Cook,
- Z. Economou,
- M. Evans,
- M. Foley,
- M. Folpp,
- J. Freund,
- C. Graham,
- I. Graham,
- W. Hall,
- T. Hunt,
- S. Maseko,
- A. Parish,
- D. Richards,
- M. Shirley,
- M. Spencer,
- A. Walsh,
- Z. Wells,
- W. Whitby,
- M. Woodward.
Goalscorers:
- W. Whitby (4),
- M. Foley (3),
- D. Richards (2),
- I. Graham (2),
- Z. Economou (2),
- C. Graham,
- M. Folpp,
- M. Spencer,
- S. Maseko,
- V. Chakalisa,
- W. Hall.
Award winners:
- T. Hunt (Players' Player),
- C. Ballagh (Coach's),
- Z. Wells (President's),
- H. Cook (Captain's),
- V. Chakalisa (Spectators').