Nomads men have first win of the season out at Gunnedah
The New England Nomads men’s team have had their first win of the season playing against the Gunnedah Bulldogs out at Wolseley Oval on a wet track. Noah Connick, new recruit Jack Keough (another Holbrook Nomads joining former players Sheridan Cooper and Nick Locke), Tony Molinaro-Rathsmann, Fraser Menzies and Will Green were the standouts but there were winners right across the park. Fraser Menzies was a focal point up forward causing headaches for the Dogs’ defenders with his clever leading and accurate goal-kicking and Will Green (in his first ever game of Australian Rules), Hunter Greene and Jack Keough kicking three and the True Fish, Trav Salmon chipping in with 2. It was also the first time that Flynn Knuckey – a second generation Nomad – pulled on the NOmads green white and black jersey. The final scores were Nomads 19.19. 133to Gunnedah 5.4.34.
The Nomads were very undermanned with only 14 regulars available, and might not have had a team but for the inclusion of two Robb rugby players Will Green and Felix Weston. The weather was ominous and there was talk of thunderstorms and the possibility of the game having to be postponed or called off if lightning strikes were imminent. The Nomads got away to a flyer with everyone aware that goals needed to be scored before rain set in. The surprise packet in the first quarter was Will Green who had never played the game before, kicking a couple of quite remarkable goals from the flank after dodging dogged Doggy defenders. The scores at quarter time were 7.6.48 to 2.0.12.
The rain came in the second quarter and the Nomads kicking to the Kamilaroi Highway end were surgical. Noah Connick was killing it at centre half back and Jack Keough who was in the ruck was impacting through the middle, often roving his own taps. Fraser kicked a number of beauties in this quarter.The scores at halftime were 11.9.75 to 3.2.20.
The third quarter saw the Nomads continue on their merry way. Antonio Molinaro-Rathsmann (who hails from the Northern Territory) was deadly playing as a traditional rover and was obviously loving the wet conditions, The scores at the finakl change were Nomads 15.14.104 to 4.2.26.
The last quarter was rather uneventful with Noah and the other regular characters racking up possessions. The final scores were 19.19. 133 to 5.4.34
The awards were as follows:
Players player: Jack Keough
Coach’s award Antonio Molinaro-Rathsmann
Captain’s award: Will Green
President’s award: Fraser Menzies
Meehan’s Plumbing Award: Harry Dobson
