Nomads Women Take on the Inverell Saints
This Saturday again saw football being played on the spiritual home of football in Armidale, Bellevue oval. After an admirable effort against Gunnedah, we were still looking for our first scalp of the season. After they had a big win against Moree the week before, we knew the Inverell girls were going to be a tough match up. The underdog spirit was well and truly flowing as we knew we had nothing to lose. Despite the phenomenal first half our girls played; we just couldn’t hold them out to be able to scratch up a win. The final scores were 3.5.23 to 6.5.41.
We knew we’d have to start hard and fast to stick it to the away team. Indeed, the girls made a blistering start to the first quarter with a silky centre clearance leading to a great link up play to get the ball into our forward line. After only a minor score, Inverell rebounded and sent to ball to the opposite end. The quarter went mostly like this in a good old fashioned arm wrestle. Molly Martin showed her versatility after a move from the backline to the forward line, even managing to kick the opening goal of the game. We completely disrupted their preferred game style by playing on our terms and making it a congested, scrappy pressure chamber. The closeness of the contest was reflected on the scoreboard with only a kick the difference by the end of the quarter.
The second quarter was a mirror image of the first. We did not take the foot off. Every player was playing for each other. We looked clinical coming out of our back half. Debutante Connie Blake, returning player Kristin Willis and veteran Caiti D’Gluyas combined well to switch the ball laterally and open the game up. A goal from Annie Marquison, another back line player turned forward line sensation evened the game up. A few more minor scores and we were in front at half time for the first time this season. The thought of a possible upset win crossed all of our minds as we didn’t expect to be in a winning position.
Heading into the third quarter, we were the victims of our own success. A combination of tired legs and complacency gave Inverell the sniff they needed to put a quick three goals on us. The last five minutes however was fantastic. A hard ball won on the wing by rampaging Molly Martin followed by a quick kick into the corridor lead to Lauren Nest kicking her first major. All it takes is one big individual effort and everything changes. The mood lifted, we were up and about again for a massive fourth quarter. With less than two straight kicks in it, it was well and truly game on. Inverell were nervous their undefeated run would be cut short on the hallowed grounds of Bellevue.
Our fourth quarter was an improvement from the third. The girls held out to the end, only conceding one goal. Ash Wright, a player who is improving every week, was busy making contests on the wing to ensure the Saints couldn’t move the ball efficiently. We were unlucky not to be able to convert the hard work of the midfield and backline despite the good work of Casey ‘I can only kick *%&#@!$ points’ Morris and Brianna Spratling at half forward. Caiti D’Gluyas was her consistent determined, tenacious self which was channelled into winning centre clearances after a move into the midfield. Alas, the margin proved too great, and Inverell showed why they are the team to beat this year.
While we were unlucky not to get the choccies, we are all extremely proud of the way the girls played on the weekend. In fact, they should all be proud of themselves. Our first win isn’t too far around the corner. It is hard to believe this was only our third game with each other. With some notable outs this week and few new recruits to come into the side, there are big things to come in the next few weeks.
Lindsay Brown
Awards:
Player’s Player: Casey Morris and Charlotte Starr
Captain’s Award: Molly Martin
Coach’s Award: Caiti D’Gluyas
