The Nomads, led by midfielders Hamish Pearse, David ‘Rampaging’ Richards, new ruck man James Treweeke and the Whippersnapper Cameron Graham, put on a display of disciplined team football at the Bellevue Cathedral, to win by 258 points against a depleted Moree Suns. Up forward new coach Jed Ellis-Cluff, sporting a new ‘electrical’ hairstyle kicked 10 goals, marking everything that came his way, while Modra and the Cammy kicked 7 and 5 goals apiece. Chris Roe also had an excellent first game. Overall it was a very pleasing effort and the Nomads had winners right across the ground.

Prior to the Seniors game, the Nomads junior under 15 team played their first game at the Bellevue against a Moree side. It was very pleasing to see the Juniors kicking the dew- such as it was – off the grass and for a crowd to be gathered watching the younger Nomads at work. The Junior Nomads were outgunned by a taller Moree team and were beaten soundly. But Sam Bioletti put in a gallant performance running all across the ground.

Then the Seniors game began (as is traditional) at 2pm. A number of new players were in the ranks of the green and black including Chris Roe, Isaac Mestrom-Jones, James Treweeke, Callum Maljers and Brett Grant. It was also very pleasing to see Hamish Pearse, the Frostman and the Whippersnapper returning to the Nomads team. Luke ‘Rambo’ Raymond, the fastest albino in the whole country, was an unfortunate late withdrawal thanks to a serious finger injury sustained at Thursday night’s training.

The first quarter saw the Nomads kicking to the grandstand end. Tom Hunt was playing at full-forward and marking strongly with big leads. Hamish and Cammy were combining brilliantly in the middle and reading the taps of big James Treweeke (who looked particularly ferocious with the shaved head and stitches). Shannon Macdonald was everywhere on the wing as was the Byron speed demon Velani Chakalisa. Newcomer Chris Roe was making space and taking marks all across the half forward line. The Nomads quickly put scores on the board with Modra kicking a couple in his usual mercurial style. Wulu Hall was making plenty of run on the flanks. Clarrie Barker showed a maturity beyond his years in the backline with his vision and clever switches. Jesse Petrascu, Barham-Koondrook’s favourite son, was marking strongly around the ground.

As it became clearer that the Nomads were dominating, a lot of the players started blasting from impossible angles and rushing shots at goal and as a result too many behinds were posted. At the end of the first quarter the scores were 6.10.46 to 0.2.2.

The second quarter saw more of the same with the Nomads dominating right across the field. The ball rarely went up the back but when it did Phill Mitchell, big Isaac and Mitch Darton teamed together to ensure that it went back to the forward 50 where it righty belonged. Mitch, who was is shaping as the new Gleeso (if that is possible) punched the contested ball and Frosty and Snowy (sounds more like the Winter Olympics than Australian rules) were at the fall of the ball to mop up the crumbs. Cameron and Modra were unstoppable in the midfield while Hamish was doing what he does so well, putting his head over the ball and bullocking his way forward looking for the outside runners. Tom Lashlie was also providing the midfielders with options on the flanks with his clever running. In one memorable moment, Roey “The Striker” struck a ball off the ground from 30 metres out which went straight as a die through the big sticks. At the half time break the scores were 14.16.100 to 0.2.2.

After the half time break the Nomads came out with renewed energy. Jed went to full forward and, with black electrical tape wrapped around his head, in a style of which Mary Shelley would have approved, he dominated in the forward fifty. Jed kicked 10 goals in the second half and some knowledgeable pundits put it down to the magical and well-known ringbark effect of black electrical tape. The delivery from Modra, Cammy, Hamish and the sub-4 man, Chux to Jed was spot-on with well-weighted kicks into space. Overall it was an excellent team effort with the Nomads kicking 13 for the term. At the end of the third quarter the scores were 27.22.184 to 0.2.2.

The final quarter saw more of the same. Tom Hunt and James Treweeke were sharing ruck duties and feeding the other midfielders. Cameron kicked on amazing goal on the run after clearing the ball from the midfield. Jed continued to mark everything that came his way and there was even a cameo Jilbi effort kicking a couple of goals off the ground (taking his cue from Roey). Callum Maljers did a wonderful job at centre half forward. When a team dominates in the midfield, it is often a dead-position, but Cal fitted into the game beautifully and took many strong contested marks. The Nomads kicked 13 goals in the final quarter.

The Nomads can be very pleased with their efforts. However, some caution needs to be exercised here. The Suns were very much understrength. To their credit they fought it out to the end and kicked a goal in the last 5 minutes. But the Nomads are going to have much harder days on the paddock that last Saturday. Still these are good signs.

Round 2 2016

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