Breezing into decider
By Ben Lonergan (Armidale Express, 09/09/2015)
The New England Nomads quest for a fourth consecutive Tamworth AFL premiership remains well and truly on track.
Another home grand final has been locked in for the three-time reigning champions after a 118-70 victory over the Tamworth Kangaroos in Saturday’s major semi-final.
The win was built off a tremendous opening half during which they constructed a 75-27 lead after two quarters.
“We played really good footy in the first half,” Nomads player-coach Zac Economou said.
“We really got on a good run there.”
A huge lead at halftime saw the Nomads switch off in the third quarter and allow the Kangaroos back into the match.
The Nomads added just one goal in the third stanza to see their lead cut to 85-56 at three quarter time.
“The Kangaroos started to play better footy and we knew that was always going to happen eventually,” Economou said.
“Going into halftime leading by 50 I think we took our foot off the gas.”
“We were making some really bad errors.”
Armidale’s side kicked back into gear in the fourth quarter behind a three-goal rampage from Matt Foley.
“He booted three goals in five minutes to finish the game,” Economou said.
“The fourth quarter we restored the margin to where it should have been.”
Jed Ellis-Clough starred for the Nomads with four goals.
“He had a great game through the midfield and stood up in front of goal,” Economou said.
Paddy Tobias and Wulu Hall were two others who drew the plaudits of Economou.
The Nomads will have a weekend off and await the winner of Saturday’s preliminary final between the Kangaroos and the Inverell Saints.
“The weekend off is just what we need,” Economou said.
“It gives us a good chance to recover.
“We will go down to Tamworth and watch the final and see how that pans out.”
Not for reproduction except by permission of the Armidale Express
Round SF2 2015
| Nomads def. Roos | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
| Q1 | 5 | 3 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 13 | |
| HT | 11 | 9 | 75 | 4 | 3 | 27 | |
| Q3 | 12 | 13 | 85 | 8 | 8 | 56 | |
| FT | 17 | 16 | 118 | 10 | 10 | 70 | |
Team:
- H. Clarke,
- H. Cook,
- M. Darton,
- T. Dickson,
- Z. Economou,
- J. Ellis-Cluff,
- M. Foley,
- A. Garraud,
- T. Granleese,
- W. Hall,
- T. Hunt,
- T. Keys,
- S. Macdonald,
- P. Mitchell,
- A. Mitchelson,
- J. Petrascu,
- L. Raymond,
- D. Richards,
- J. Shirley,
- M. Spencer,
- P. Tobias,
- M. Woodward.
Goalscorers:
- J. Ellis-Cluff (4),
- D. Richards (3),
- M. Foley (3),
- Z. Economou (2),
- L. Raymond,
- M. Spencer,
- M. Woodward,
- T. Hunt,
- W. Hall.
Award winners:
- T. Keys (Players' Player),
- M. Foley (Coach's),
- P. Tobias (President's),
- J. Ellis-Cluff (Captain's),
- W. Hall (Meehan's Plumbing Services').
