Shining effort by Nomads
By Ben Lonergan (Armidale Express, 05/08/2015)
The Moree Suns were given a masterclass in front of goal by the New England Nomads at Bellevue Oval on Saturday.
Behind eight-goal efforts from skipper Dave Richards and player-coach Zac Economou, the Nomads racked up a massive 219-42 win.
The Nomads have been truly dominant since an opening round loss to the Tamworth Kangaroos, but one area that has let them down at times had been wayward kicking in front of goal.
It seems Economou and his men have well and truly rectified that problem after booting 35 goals compared to just nine behinds on Saturday.
“It was a pretty solid game for us,” the Nomads coach said.
“Kicking it straight makes a huge difference.
“That was the straightest we have kicked all year by a mile.
“We were patient in front of goal and delivered the ball to the right spots.”
Economou said he and his fellow full and half forwards had been working constantly at training on improving their radar in front of goal.
The Nomads jumped out to a 52-6 lead after one quarter and never looked back.
That became 96-16 at the main break, 156-40 at three-quarter time and 219-42 by the time the final siren sounded.
“They have some fantastic players,” Economou said.
“So it was a matter of us doing what we wanted to and still making sure we contain their better players.
“We were able to do it.”
Richards caused havoc for the Suns throughout Saturday’s match and Economou was full of compliments for his dynamic captain.
“Dave is having a great season,” he said.
“If he’s not kicking goal he’s feeding them to others.”
Half-forward Hayden Clarke also had a day to remember with seven goals of his own.
“Hayden has been fantastic for us,” Economou said.
“He has a very clean set of hands and a great boot.”
Other results from around the TAFL saw the Tamworth Kangaroos beat the Inverell Suns 126-89 and the Narrabri Eagles thrash the Tamworth Swans 105-46.
That leaves the Nomads on top of the table with 11 wins from 12 matches.
The Kangaroos are the only team who can challenge the Nomads in the race for the minor premiership.
They sit one win behind the Nomads, but have a game in hand.
The two sides meet at Bellevue Oval this weekend, with the winner almost assured the minor premiership.
See Friday’s Express for a full preview of that match.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express
Round 14 2015
| Nomads def. Suns | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
| Q1 | 8 | 4 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 6 | |
| HT | 15 | 6 | 96 | 2 | 4 | 16 | |
| Q3 | 25 | 6 | 156 | 6 | 4 | 40 | |
| FT | 35 | 9 | 219 | 6 | 6 | 42 | |
Team:
- C. Barker,
- D. Bioletti,
- H. Clarke,
- T. Dickson,
- Z. Economou,
- J. Ellis-Cluff,
- M. Foley,
- A. Garraud,
- T. Granleese,
- W. Hall,
- T. Hunt,
- T. Lashlie,
- S. Macdonald,
- A. Mitchelson,
- J. Petrascu,
- A. Pudney,
- D. Richards,
- J. Shirley,
- O. Temoso,
- P. Tobias,
- A. Walsh,
- M. Woodward.
Goalscorers:
- D. Richards (8),
- Z. Economou (8),
- H. Clarke (7),
- W. Hall (4),
- J. Ellis-Cluff (2),
- M. Foley (2),
- A. Mitchelson,
- A. Walsh,
- M. Woodward,
- S. Macdonald.
Award winners:
- W. Hall (Players' Player),
- P. Tobias (Coach's),
- J. Ellis-Cluff (President's),
- A. Mitchelson (Captain's),
- D. Richards (Meehan's Plumbing Services').
