Nomads Men win on Phill Mitchell’s 50th game
So on June 5th, in Phill Mitchell’s 50th game for the club, the Nomads eventually defeated the Tamworth Kangaroos in what was an exciting game of football, with both high levels of skill and good sportsmanship being on display. The old stagers Phill Mitchell and Tom Hunt were at their usual brilliant best, as were Noah Connick and Conor Nest. But in the final stages of the last quarter it was the mercurial brilliance of Modra and Clarrie that tipped the balance in the favour of the Nomads. The game also saw the welcome return of 2012 premiership player and former Nomads Auskicker, Caleb Dobos who chipped in with 3 goals. It must be said that this Roos squad is best side we have played against all year, with the Roo’s precision kicking, clever running and high marking causing all sorts of troubles for the Nomads. A wonderful match to celebrate Phill’s time with the Nomads. Final scores were the Nomads 12.15.87 to the Roos 10.8.68.
It was warm Armidale winter weather that greeted the players as they arrived at the ground. Pat Sharpe full forward extraordinaire was out as were Tom Moscou and Lewis Wheatley who both busted their collarbones the previous week. However there were also some big ins with Noah Connick and Conor Nest back in the squad.
The Nomads kicked to the Uralla end and from the start it was clear we had a real game on our hands. Noah was in good form taking lots of marks in the forward half and Yeppie was up and about but we were unable to translate it into the scoreboard. At the first change we were behind by a point with scores being 2.2.14 to the Roos 2.3.15.
Th second quarter saw the Nomads start to play a stronger brand of football but the Roos were equal to the task. We missed a number of very gettable shots. The points that were kicked in this quarter were not rushed behinds but wayward kicks at gaol. Tom Hunt was winning every ruck contest but the Roos were able to shark some of the time. Ira Sulzberger was also playing strongly up forward and Daniel Boyd took a number of strong marks. At half time the scores were Nomads 6.7.43 to the Roos 6.4.40.
The third quarter saw the Nomads play well but the wayward kicking continued. We were also being (somewhat surprisingly) out-marked in the air a lot fo the time. The poor kicking at goal continued. But Modra was killing it in the middle. At the final change the Nomads were up by 11 points with the scores being 9.10.64 to 8.5.53. We very much had a game on our hands,
The final quarter saw the fortunes fluctuate radically and it was not until about the last ten minutes when Clarrie managed to kick the ball forward to where Modra could run onto it and kick a memorable goal that the game was (seemingly) over. The last two minutes or so gave everyone cause for alarm wth the Nomads taking the foot off the accelerator and the Roos surging. Tom Hunt took two marks in the last line of defence and the Nomads were over the line (different line of course). Clarrie also took the mark of the year riding on one of the Roos back to mark about 40 metres out. Unfortunately he missed the goal, but great mark.
Anyroads, well done to the boys a great win. When we put our best team on the paddock it is hard to see any side getting close – although that relies on kicking straight and getting the best team on the paddock!
Awards:
Players Player C. Barker
Coach’s award: B. Dutaillis
Captain’s award: I. Suzlberger
President’s award: N. Connick
Meehan’s Plumbing Award: C. Paine
