On Luke ‘Rambo’ Raymond’s 21st birthday, the Nomads played some champagne football against the Tamworth Swans. Up forward Weston Whitby kicked 8, David ‘Rampaging’ Richards 7, Zac Economou 6 while Paddy Tobias, Matt Foley, Jed Ellis-Cluff and Monsieur Le Dre (Andre Garraud) carved up in the midfield. The final scores were Nomads 34.28.232 to the Swans’ 0.4.4.

Although the game began in clear, albeit slightly windy, conditions, there was talk that ‘weather’ was on it way (rain was already falling in Uralla) and so it was important to score early before conditions deteriorated. Two new players, Jesse Petrascu and Mitch Harriott, ran out on the field for the Nomads for the first time. Modra won the toss and kicked to the Uralla end. Things started not particularly well. Although the Nomads were dominant in the midfield, and the backs (such as Tom Hunt, Snowy Snowden and Tony Dickson) were as solid as a granite rock, the ball movement into and in the forward line was not great. The general delivery was bad and play was directed too often to the dead pocket. Although it was windy, that doesn’t really excuse the kicking for goal – lots of shots were taken in a hurry and sprayed. The score at the end of the first quarter was 3.8.26 to 0.1.1.

The second quarter saw the Nomads pulling up their collective socks and starting to play some excellent team football. Big Sticks Hunt and The Dre won nearly every ruck and Paddy Tobias hit the packs with intensity. They provided a plethora of opportunities for the forwards. In one extremely memorable moment, the Jeddacutta Man, Mr Ellis-Cluff himself, decided that this goal-kicking thing looked like good fun and after Tom Hunt palmed one ‘delicately’ into his outstretched hands, he sprinted forward, evaded a couple of Swans. bouncing a couple of times, before kicking truly from 40 metres out. The Nomads kicked 13 goals in this quarter. Modra was everywhere, running circles and triangles and all sorts of other shapes around the Swans’ defenders and Zac-the-Coach and Weston were too strong in the air for their opponents. New Nomad Jesse Petrascu provided plenty of movement on the half forward flank and showed great ball sense, while Clarrie Barker was strong on the wing. Shannon MacDonald was everywhere, weaving his way around opponents. Hugo Cook, the Nomads’ resident drum-meister, showed that he knows about more than just paradiddles and flam rudiments, and kicked a 50 metre goal from the boundary line right next to the grandstand gate. At half time the scores were 16.13.109 to 0.2.2.

The third quarter saw the Nomads kicking to the Uralla end and again the kicking was a little shoddy. (Indeed for the game the Noeys kicked 11.18 up at that end.) Perhaps it was the wind. Perhaps not. Again the Nomads were dominant in the midfield winning nearly every centre break. Paddy and Andre ‘Do-I-really-need-to-bounce-it?’ Garraud and Foles continued their excellent form. And in this quarter, the Flying Albino, Luke Raymond really carved it up on the wing and sent the ball forward many times. Mitch Darton also shone out on the wing. The Forward Troika of Zac, Weston and Modra continued to cause more damage – with great marking and skilful team play. At three quarter time the scores were 24.23.167 to 0.2.2.

The final quarter saw the Nomads score 10 goals and the kicking was on the whole much better (except for a shameful Jilbi-Shank from someone old-enough-to-know-better). The highlight of the quarter was Rambo kicking a major after screaming louder than anyone has every heard before (or probably will again) for the ball from Zac who dutifully hand-balled off in the goal square to the delight of the crowd. The backs managed to keep their record spotless and not allow the Swans to score a goal. Although it was quiet for much of the day, when it did come down there, Phil Mitchell, Tony Dickson, Al Mitchelson and Hugo Cook quickly sent it back forward.

It was an excellent team effort from the Nomads. Things will, of course, be tougher in the upcoming weeks. But the form of the midfield was a standout of the game as was the teamwork of the Forward Troika.

And it never did rain – but the next day…

Round 11 2015

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