Nomads through to the Grand Final!
The New England Nomads have made their way to the 2019 Grand final after an enthralling preliminary final victory over the Inverell Saints at Inverell on Saturday, in what would be regarded by many within the League as an upset. This is, however, a team only beginning to realise its potential after a number of false starts. It was a real group effort but there were a number of standouts. In the mid-field Jesse Petrascu led the way with his fearsome attack on the ball and lack of any hesitancy. Equally inspiring were 16 year old Dylan “Turbo” Moore and Luke “Rambo” Raymond both of whom never took a backward step. In the backline Brady MacDonald showed his class with his intercept marking and poise when delivering the ball forward. The 6-foot-6 club also had a large part to play in this victory with Conor Nest, Andy Gray and Tommy ‘Sticks’ Hunt dominating in the ruck battles. Another highlight was the ferocious tackling from the likes of Tommy Moscou, Wulu Hall and Steve Ogilvie (who surprised everyone with his left foot prowess). And in the final dying moments of the game, the every-reliable West Australian contingent in the form of Moddy Richards (who as usual wore a heavy tag) and The Frostman combined to force the ball forward, allowing Morgan Dunn to kick a goal and put the game beyond doubt. Final scores were Nomads 11.10.76 to the Saints 9.11.65.
The Nomads arrived on time, on task and on the McRaes’ Bus from Uralla. It was another fine day (ain’t that always the way in drought-time?) with a mild breeze. The Nomads had probably the strongest team they have fielded all year, although the Big Dawg, Coach James Treweeke, had been ruled out by the medical team with a hamstring tear. The Nomads kicked to the southern end and soon had the ball up forward with Dylan Moore scoring the first of his three goals. The Saints were double-teaming Dr Quaalude which left Turbo free to score and score he did. The ever elusive Izzie Graham also made the most of a limited opportunity, kicking an extraordinary over-the-shoulder goal. The Nomads had the better of the quarter in general but some fast movement on the rebound by the Saints on their home-turf meant they scored three quick goals. The boys also needed to be a bit harder at the contested ball and to take a leaf out of Jesse Petrascu’s book (for the record Jesse was unable to work at the Royal on Saturday night after his exertions in pursuit of the Nomads’ cause). Brady Macdonald was also killing it in the backline. At the first break the Saints were leading 3.4.22 to 2.3.15.
The second quarter saw the Nomads pick up their game in terms of the attack on the football. Andy Gray was winning all the taps and Conor Nest was marking everything that came his way. Brady and Rambo continued their dominance at the contested ball. The Nomads kicked two for the quarter and the defence restricted the Saints to only one goal. The score at half time was Inverell 4.7.31 to the Nomads 4.5.29.
It was clear to all in the crowd at half-time that the Nomads were a strong chance. After a spray from the coach during the break about hitting the packs harder, the Nomads came out in the third terms with renewed energy. Dr Quaalude marked strongly (pack-mark-wise) in the square for one of the goals and Modra kicked truly after being scragged in a tackle. The Nomads 3 goals to the Saints 2 and led by 5 points at the final change.
In the final quarter the lead changed a number of times. The Nomads kicked 4 for the quarter. Choco kicked truly in a set shot from 40 metres out (get around him) and in the final two minutes Morgan kicked a goal he won’t forget for a long time.
And so the Nomads are in to the grand final. There is a lot to work on but there were really good signs in this victory. Anyone who can should get out to Gunnedah this Saturday for what will be a high quality final.
Players player: Jesse Petrascu
Coach’s award: Dylan Moore
President’s award: Brady MacDonald
Meehan’s Plumbing award: Luke Raymond
Captain’s award: Clarrie Barker
Round PF 2019
| Saints def. by Nomads | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | B | P | G | B | P | ||
| Q1 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 2 | 3 | 15 | |
| HT | 4 | 7 | 31 | 4 | 5 | 29 | |
| Q3 | 6 | 8 | 44 | 7 | 7 | 49 | |
| FT | 9 | 11 | 65 | 11 | 10 | 76 | |
Team:
- C. Barker,
- C. Bergmeier,
- N. Buckland,
- E. D’Gluyas,
- M. Dunn,
- J. Frost,
- I. Graham,
- J. Grant,
- A. Gray,
- W. Hall,
- T. Hunt,
- B. McDonald,
- D. Moore,
- T. Moscou,
- H. Morgan,
- C. Nest,
- C. O’Loughlin,
- S. Ogilvie,
- J. Petrascu,
- A. Quail,
- L. Raymond,
- D. Richards.
Goalscorers:
- D. Moore (3),
- I. Graham (3),
- A. Quail,
- D. Richards,
- J. Grant,
- M. Dunn,
- W. Hall.
Award winners:
- J. Petrascu (Players' Player),
- D. Moore (Coach's),
- B. McDonald (President's),
- C. Barker (Captain's),
- L. Raymond (Meehan's Plumbing Services').
