The New England Nomads, playing a depleted Gunnedah Bulldogs side on Saturday, won the match by over 200 points. Up forward the deadly duo of Weston Whitby and Zac Economou scored 9 and 8 goals respectively, while midfielders Omphile Temosos, Luke ‘Rambo’ Raymond, Paddy Tobias, Jed Ellis-Cluff and ‘Rampaging’ Dave Richards dominated contests right across the ground. The final score was 37.15 to 1.7.7.

The day began with some concern over whether the Bulldogs would be able to field a side. However, by 1.30 the Gunnedah boys had a team of 15 and so the game began as a 15-a-side contest. The Nomads, kicking to the Uralla end, were quick out of the blocks with Paddy Tobias and the Tallest Man in Botswana*, Omphile Temoso, working well together in the middle to provide lots of opportunities for the forwards. Zac-the-Caoch, Tony Dickson and Weston were all marking strongly in the forward 50. Out on the wings Rambo Raymond, Ash Cruickshank, Chaks and Wulu Hall were providing a lot of run. 8 goals were scored in this first quarter and it was clear from about the ten minute mark that the Doggies were in for a long day in the paddock. Towards the end of the first quarter, a 16th Bulldog arrived and for the rest of the game, the match was played 16 a side, just like the old school VFA.

In the second quarter, Jed Ellis-Cluff, whose mother had driven 11 hours to see him play, thought it best to provide some genuine entertainment for the family and gathered disposal after disposal seemingly at will. Tom Hunt went to full forward during this quarter and Zac went to the back line. Tom, fresh from his media responsibilities with the Credit Union, took some brilliant marks around the 50 metre mark. The half back line, led by Wellsy and Gleeso held firm and again the Dogs were unable to trouble the scorers. Clarrie Barker was also doing well, moving with ease between the backline and the forward zone. At half time the Nomads had kicked 16.9.105.

The third quarter saw more of the same. Weston and Zac continued on their merry way racking up goals while Rambo, Jed, Wellsy, Paddy, Modra and the Tallest Motswana* continued their total domination of the midfield. It was at times rather boring for the backline: King Woodenbong and Monsiuer le Dre spent a great deal of time up in the backhalf watching locusts and fireflies impregnate one another and reminiscing about Yanak Noah’s glory days, while Dicko was gloating about Richmond’s recent success.

In the final quarter the Nomads really put their collective feet to the floor and kicked 13 goals straight. Modra kicked a couple of amazing Peter-Daicos-jilbi-burning goals, and Tommy Hunt and Hugo Cook chipped in with a couple of sneaky goals. Young Tom Lashlie provided a lot of run in the forward flanks during this quarter.

To their credit, the Nomads continued all the way through to play disciplined football and ran the ball in waves. It was a very good effort, although it must also be said that the Bulldogs were without a number of their gun midfielders which made the Nomads’ job all that much easier. There are greater challenges ahead and we should not take too much from this outing. Moreover, it is important that everyone gets to training and build on the momentum that has been gathering over the past few weeks. But next week will be the Rep game in which a number of Nomads are playing.

* Who plays Australian Rules

Round 10 2015

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