Fraser Menzies kicks 9 in the Nomads’ second win of the year
On Saturday the 6th of May the Nomads beat the Tamworth Swans in what was a close contest until the quarter time. Noah Connick and David “Modra” Richards were brilliant in defences (Modra dropping behind the lines), ably supported by Cotter Litchfield, Lindsay Brown and Harry Dobson. In the middle Jack Keough and Hunter Greene were the driving force behind many forays into the forward line – Hunter’s kicking to leads was a standout. Up forward Fraser Menzies was at his mercurial best kicking 9 goals with Modra kicking 2 in the final quarter while resting from his on-ball duties. The final scores were Nomads 13.11.89 to the Swans 9.8.62.
The start of the game saw another change of personnel in what has been a rather ephemeral Nomads line-up. Back into the side were Harrison Munday, Wulu Hall, David Richards and Matt Pine, while new boy from Fitzroy, Oskar Brookshaw was playing his first game of senior football. Another new player in the team is the South Australian Angus Langsmith. Outs included Clarrie ‘Magic’ Barker, Tajo Quaife, Antonio Molinaro Rathsmann and Nick Leopardi.
As it turned out Oskar showed that he was well ready for senior football with a remarkable goal kicked after dodging three opponents. The first quarter, after the Nomads chose to kick to the Uralla end, saw fast open football with goals kicked on turnovers. Fraser was activde up forward and Noah and Modra were uyp to their usual tricks. Wulu Hall was a welcome returned solder and was at his desperate gut-running best. At the first change scores were 5.1.31 to 4.1.31.
The second quarter was tight football. Brodie Fisher stood up on this quarter and showed a great deal of game sense. The Nomads allowed the Swans two easy goals up back while the forwards were not really chasing enough – there definitely needed to be more defensive pressure in the forward half. The ball was in out quarter more than it wasn’t so more should have been made of the opportunities. The scores at halftime were 7.5.47 to 6.4.40.
The third quarter was tight and saw the lead change a number of times. The usual suspects were playing well but Jackson Hall (playing in his second game of Australian rules ever – and no relation to Wulu) was marking well and looking like he had been playing the game all his life. Matt Pine comiing off the bench added some grunt in the forward line with his clever positional play. The scores at the final change were Nomads 8.8.56 to the Swans 8.3.53. The last quarter looked like it would be a cracker.
However, as it turned out, the flast quarter saw the Nomads run away with it. Jack Keough – Holbrook’s finest – dominated in the middle as a traditional ruck-rover while the True Fish took over ruck duties. Modra scored two goals and Fraser contined on his merry way to finish with 9.
Overall it was a very pleasing effort It is to be hoped that over the next few weeks the Nomads can muster a full side. So next week it is the Roos at home.
Awards for the day:
Players’ Player award: Fraser Menzies
President’s award: Noah Connick
Coach’s award: Jackson Hall
Captain’s award: Brodie Fisher
Meehan’s plumbing Award: David Richards
