Nomad Women go down in first round arm wrestle
Round one of the AFL North-West season, saw a return to the spiritual home of football in Armidale, Bellevue Oval. It was a beautiful Autumn Day in Armidale, the deck looked immaculate, and we were locked and loaded for a great day of Australian Rules Football. The girls were keen as mustard to get out and implement everything we have been working on during preseason as we kickstart our 2022 campaign. Punters watching on will note that we are mostly a new look outfit this year. While we have a number of returning players, we have a vast array of new players to the club. The weekend’s game against the Gunnedah Poochettes was a great chance to blood our new recruits. It was clear from early on that it was going to be an arm wrestle all day as the contest between the two teams was very even. We gave ourselves every opportunity but just could not capitalise and meaningfully hit the scoreboard. Gunnedah made the most of their opportunities and ran out eventual winners 2.7.19 to 8.9.57.
The Poochettes had an impeccable record last year going undefeated, so we knew we would have to bring our best footy if we wanted to be any chance. We have been working hard over the past few weeks to refine our skills and develop our system. We were confident it would hold up against the best sides in the competition. The execution by the girls proved that. We had a dominant first quarter, the ball was in our attacking 50 for at least 75% of the quarter. We were taking marks inside 50 and setting up really well behind the ball giving us repeat entries. The tackling pressure was through the roof. There was no easy ball to be won by Gunnedah, they had to earn it. Our El Capitan, Madi ‘The Bull’ Moar was at her usual dominant best in the midfield. Debutant for the club and South Australian import Molly Davidson was also making a real impact as she quickly found her feet in the mid-field. Strong attack on the ball by fellow debutants Sofia ‘Pocket Rocket’ Dwyer and the Annabelle Fox meant we looked dangerous every time we entered our forward 50. We had our chances to kick majors but a strong Gunnedah defence made scoring difficult and we only managed a minor score. The play was back and forth as both teams grappled to take the early lead. Despite the best efforts of our backline, Gunnedah kicked the first goal of the game to give themselves a 6-point lead at the first change.
The second quarter was much the same as the first. This time we had the traditional Uralla scoring end assisted by a strong westerly breeze. We were doing most of the attacking as backline veterans Connie Blake and Kaitlyn Read quickly repelled the attacking advancements of Gunnedah. Debutant Nayana Patmore was beginning to make a real impression on the game as she used her classy skills to help transition the ball as we attacked. Vice-captain Lauren ‘Sticks’ Nest and rampaging Molly Martin were both winning most of the rucks and giving our mids the first look at the pill. Our pressure around the contest was beginning to put doubt in the minds of our opposition as we forced errors and turnovers. There were multiple times we laid three or four tackles in succession. This made the ground feel smaller as Gunnedah struggled to find any room to move. First gamers Lil Barrett, Gab Stanek and Anna Greenland were all part of the action and were playing with amazing ferocity and tenacity. They looked every bit at home on the field. Our ability to get numbers to the contest, win the hardball and get run-on handballs going was superb and meant we could dominate play. Our inability to convert our good work was again a factor. The class and quick play of Gunnedah meant they were able to out-do our defence on the odd occasion, and they kicked another major to put a little more space between us and them on the scoreboard. By half time we were only down by 10 and we were still well and truly in the game.
We had played a solid half of footy. We knew we could not rest on our laurels because we had fallen into this trap a few times last year. We had to keep the endeavour and effort up if we wanted any chance of pulling off a scalp. Not having a bench and being the first game of the season, tired legs was now a factor in this third term. The fresh legs of the Gunnedah outfit came to the fore as they overrun us with quick play. Gunnedah were dictating terms more and were setting up behind the ball as we were in the first half. This made our attempts to penetrate forward treacherous as we did not register a score for the quarter. A momentary lapse in effort allowed Gunnedah more freedom for a portion of the quarter. Our backline was feeling the pressure and through no real fault of their own conceded two goals. This was despite the best efforts of two first-time players in Myah Clifton and Kayley Ohara who were doing everything they could to prevent opposition scores. Having never played footy before, it was impressive to see their instinctive defensive acts and last-ditch efforts. They looked to be playing beyond their years as they readily put their heads over the footy and remained composed when in possession. All good traits for potential backline superstars. Ash ‘The Grasshopper’ Wright was continuing her form from last year, taking the game on and nailing the kickouts from fullback. Heading into the final term, Gunnedah had established a comfortable lead in the context of the game..
We wanted to finish strong and amend for our third quarter. The girls found another gear and dug deep to throw the kitchen sink at the opposition in a final bid to break the game open. Throughout the game, we looked the most dangerous going forward when we attacked quickly. Hence the message at three quarter time was to play on quickly to try and catch the Gunnedah defence before they could flood back to set up. This did work to an effect as we managed to get some overlap play leading to a goal by Molly Martin for our first major of the game. Our second goal came from a stoppage in our forward 50 where Mads wobbled one through in a true captain’s goal. What was really good to see was the girls getting around each other when we kicked a goal even though the game was beyond our reach. It is a subtle thing, but it speaks volumes about the sort of culture we are building where we play for each other and get behind each other. Despite our improved goal kicking, Gunnedah were able to put four more on us to put the game beyond doubt.
Despite the loss, there was a lot to like about the way the girls played. The score really does not reflect how the game was played. The tackling pressure, link up plays, basic skills, defensive structure and running in support of teammates was all on display. It took us all year last year to get to the point we are starting from this year in terms of skill and cohesiveness as a team. It was awesome to see the new girls slot in seamlessly and the first time players taking the game on and competing. We dare not put a limit on what this group of girls can achieve this year. At full strength with a full side our best will be as good as any team in the league. We take this loss as a test for where we are at and look to next week against the Roos.
Coaches Award: Sofia Dwyer
Captains Award: Myah Clifton
Players’ Player: Molly Davidson
