The New England Nomads won their final home and away game of the season in convincing style in Tamworth with a 95 point win against the Swans. Zac Economou was in brilliant form up forward marking everything that came his way and booting truly 8 times, while Tim Keys, Matt Foley, Jed Ellis-Cluff and Jessie Petrascu were unstoppable in the midfield. Special mention must also be given to the work of the newly discovered backman, Andre “the Flying Frenchman” Garraud who showed he really should have been up back all along. The final scores were 19.18.132 to 6.1.37.

There had been talk during the week that the oval at Tamworth might be cancelled due to heavy rain early in the week (there had been 65 ml in Armidale as well which heightened speculation amongst the Nomads camp). But it was not to be and the game began in bright sunshine. The flanks were heavy underfoot but the central pitch area had been covered and the ground was on the whole in good condition for play.

The Nomads started the game with just 19 and were missing some big names including Tom Hunt, Tom Granleese, Paddy Tobias, Wulu Hall and Mark Spencer. As a result of the changes Clarrie Barker moved from centre half forward to centre half back. The Noeys were extremely slow out of the blocks. It looked like they were under the spell of the Paradox of Expecting it to Happen (i.e if you expect it to happen then it won’t and if you don’t, then it will). There was a general lethargy at the contests and not a lot of run in the first ten minutes. Notable exceptions to this were Mitch Darton, Clarrie Barker and the boy from Barham-Koondrook Jessie Petrascu, none of whom were affected by the paralysis of the paradox. Half way through the quarter the team started to wake up, led by ruck man Tim Keys who kicked a memorable goal on the run. The team woke up to the fact that if they did not run then the Swans might well give them a touch-up and responded accordingly. A highlight of the quarter was the goal slotted with little fuss by big Phill Mitchell – his first of the season (and perhaps of his career). At quarter time the scores were 5.4.34 to 3.1.19.

The second quarter saw the Nomads kicking to the Armidale end. In the backline Wise Al Mitchelson, Andre, Phill and Clarrie were working well together to repel a number of the Swans’ advance and kept the opposition scoreless for the quarter. Up forward, Zac and Modra were causing the the Swans no end of trouble. Zac was unstoppable overhead, despite the best efforts of the Swans’ backmen. One memorable moment saw Modra shepherd Zac through from the pocket to kick a goal from a metre out. Jessie Petrascu was showing he has what it takes to play in the midfield, teaming up with Foles and Jed for many centre clearances. At half time the scores were 9.8.62 to 3.1.19.

The third quarter saw the Nomads extending their lead. Tim Keys was everywhere and the Swans backmen could not get it pass him when kicking out. Keys-E must have marked 5 or 6 of their kickouts in this quarter. It was an impressive performance and he lifted the side whenever it looked like the tempo might drop. Andre Garraud continued running straight lines out of the back half, combining with Wise Al and Woody the Wood-dog to move the ball forward. The scores at the final change were 12.16.88 to 4.1.25.

In the final quarter the Nomads started to dominate. In the midfield Foles, Jessie, Rambo and Jed were winning the ball with great ease. The Jeddacutta Man spent much of the quarter sending long raking drop punts looking for his cousin-in-law Zac; and “The Cuz” did not let him down. John Shirley broke his goal drought on his second attempt in the game (the first, in the third quarter, was a remarkable shank). Al Mitchelson kicked an impressive running goal, only to strain his quad and play no further part in the match. The Nomads ended the game with only 17 on the field (Clarrie was injured in the third quarter, after having played a brilliant first half).

Best for the Nomads were Andre Garraud, Tim Keys, Jed Ellis-Cluff, Zac Economou, Clarrie Barker and Phill Mitchell.

The Nomads then, end the home and away season as minor premiers. The team will play the Tamworth Kangaroos at the Bellevue this coming Saturday in what promises to be an excellent match. Time now to go on to the big one. See you all there.

Round 18 2015

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