Nomads disappointing in win
By Ben Lonergan (Armidale Express, 19/08/2015)
The New England Nomads may have suffered a little hangover from their crucial win over the Tamworth Kangaroos two weekends ago, according to player-coach Zac Economou.
Economou’s men were far from their best on Saturday but still managed to topple their 2014 grand final opponents the Inverell Saints 112-79.
“We didn’t play good football,” Economou said.
“We only switched on for one quarter.
“They play a physical game and we didn’t respond to that.”
While disgruntled with the overall performance, Economou conceded they were never really in danger of losing the match.
“I did feel like we controlled the game,” he said.
The Nomads had ample opportunities to jump out to a huge early lead, but failed to capitalise in front of goal.
They booted seven behinds in the first quarter to just four goals to lead 31-13.
Inverell refused to go away in the second half, but with Economou leading the way up front the Nomads never looked in danger of surrendering their lead.
Economou booted five goals in another impressive performance, with Jed Ellis-Clough the only other multiple goal kicking with four.
Celebrating his milestone 50th game for the Nomads, fullback Tom Granleese was in vintage form on Saturday.
“He was best on ground for us,” Economou said.
Paddy Tobias was also a standout through the mid-field.
Economou said after the high of beating the Kangaroos a week earlier his troops failed to get up for the Saints clash.
“After that big game last weekend we were a bit flat,” he said.
But he also paid tribute to a determined Inverell outfit.
“The Saints have got some really good footballers and they play a tough game of footy,” he said. “They have been up there at the top for six, seven, eight years now so we expect them to be strong.”
The Nomads will rest up this weekend with the bye before embarking on another finals campaign.
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express
Round 16 2015
| Saints def. by Nomads | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
| Q1 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 31 | |
| HT | 4 | 5 | 29 | 8 | 9 | 57 | |
| Q3 | 7 | 9 | 51 | 13 | 10 | 88 | |
| FT | 11 | 13 | 79 | 17 | 10 | 112 | |
Team:
- C. Barker,
- D. Bioletti,
- H. Cook,
- M. Darton,
- T. Dickson,
- Z. Economou,
- J. Ellis-Cluff,
- M. Foley,
- A. Garraud,
- T. Granleese,
- W. Hall,
- T. Hunt,
- S. Macdonald,
- J. Petrascu,
- L. Raymond,
- D. Richards,
- J. Shirley,
- M. Spencer,
- O. Temoso,
- P. Tobias,
- A. Walsh,
- M. Woodward.
Goalscorers:
- Z. Economou (5),
- J. Ellis-Cluff (4),
- C. Barker,
- D. Richards,
- J. Petrascu,
- L. Raymond,
- M. Foley,
- S. Macdonald,
- T. Dickson,
- W. Hall.
Award winners:
- T. Granleese (Players' Player),
- J. Ellis-Cluff (Coach's),
- P. Tobias (President's),
- L. Raymond (Captain's),
- A. Garraud (Meehan's Plumbing Services').
